VA Announces 46 Grants for Homeless Programs

Department Marks 20 Years Serving Homeless Veterans WASHINGTON - As the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) marks the 20th anniversary of its homeless program, VA has awarded 46 grants worth over $16 million to public and private non-profit groups to assist homeless veterans. "For the last 20 years, VA has worked with its community partners to lift veterans out of homelessness," said Gordon H. Mansfield, Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "We are making progress by expanding treatment, rehabilitation and safe transitional housing for our homeless veterans, though more remains to be done." Based on VA's national estimates, progress is being made for homeless veterans. The number of homeless veterans on any night has decreased 20 percent during the last six years, and veterans as a percent of the adult homeless population has decreased 10 percent. This latest round of grants creates 950 beds for homeless veterans, bringing to more than 12,000 the number of VA-funded community-based beds provided by public and community non-profit and faith-based organizations in 34 states and the District of Columbia. VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country. It is the only federal agency providing substantial one-on-one contact with the homeless. In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatment, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance. More information about VA's homeless programs is available on the Internet at www.va.gov/homeless. A complete list of grants is also available on the Internet at www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/index.cfm.