VA Awards $188 Million in Grant Funding to Help Homeless Veterans

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced $188 million in grants for two programs benefiting homeless Veterans.

The grants were made through the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program, awarded to community agencies providing services to homeless Veterans.

Awards announced today will provide approximately $185 million in per diem funding for 556 projects to community agencies that provide transitional housing and supportive care for homeless Veterans. Awards were made to programs in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

In addition, approximately $3 million in grant funding will be awarded to 13 community agencies that provide services for homeless Veterans with special needs. The GPD Special Need funding provides additional operational costs for transitional housing and services for homeless Veterans who fall under “Special Need” populations, including women, those with chronic mental illness and individuals who care for minor dependents.

“The GPD program has been instrumental in providing needed services to community organizations,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the awardees as we work together to end Veteran homelessness. Our goal is to help give at-risk Veterans stable housing and a good start to independence.”

Since the GPD program began awarding grants in 1994, approximately $2 billion has been awarded to community organizations serving homeless Veterans. The complete list of awardees may be found at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

More information about VA’s homeless programs is available at www.va.gov/homeless.  Community organizations seeking details can visit VA’s National Grant and Per Diem Program website at www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP.