VA's Homeless Intervention Program Nears Roll Out

Provider Groups Sought for Applications, Training

WASHINGTON (Dec. 16, 2010) - A homeless-prevention program by the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which seeks to help Veterans and
families who are on the verge of becoming homeless, has moved closer to
implementation.  The program marks the first time that VA will fund
services for the spouses and children of Veterans at risk of becoming
homeless.

"The problems that lead to homelessness begin long before Veterans and
their families are on the streets," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki. "By putting more resources into intervention programs
for people at risk of becoming homeless, we can reduce suffering and
increase the opportunities for turning around these lives."

Shinseki's comments came as VA formally announced that it is taking
applications from private non-profit organizations and consumer
cooperatives interested in providing needed services to at-risk Veterans
and their families.

With funding from VA for the program, called Supportive Services for
Veterans Families, community organizations will be better able to
provide counseling, training, education assistance, direct time-limited
financial assistance, transportation, child care, rent, utilities, and
other services to participating Veterans and family members.

In January, VA is sponsoring free grant-writing workshops for community
organizations interested in applying for funds under this program.  The
workshops will be held in Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston and New
York City.

When the "Notice of Funds Availability" applications are available, they
will be posted on the VA Web site at www1.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.

Details about the workshops and other information about the program are
available on the Internet at www1.va.gov/homeless.