Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

VA Announces 55 Per Diem Awards for Homeless Assistance

July 14, 2008

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WASHINGTON -- Homeless veterans and those who help them received a significant boost in their efforts when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) made 55 new awards to public and private nonprofit organizations that assist homeless veterans. 

“It’s important that VA continue to help our nation’s homeless veterans, many of whom are still dealing with the effects of past conflicts,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.  “These awards provide needed resources to hard working, caring and compassionate people who provide one-on-one care and services to our veterans every day in their own communities.”

Today’s announcement of awards to 55 community-based  organizations in 24 states will add over 1,000 transitional housing beds to the 9,400 beds already available for homeless veterans because of VA grants for the homeless.

VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country.  It is the only federal agency that provides 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.

Last year, VA committed more resources than at any time in its history for programs benefiting homeless veterans.  The Department committed $26 million in new funding to support about 2,000 new transitional housing beds, $12 million for seriously mentally ill veterans, terminally ill veterans, frail elderly veterans and women veterans, to include women with children, and $2 million for other programs.

VA has provided more than $350 million in grants and per diem payments since it initiated the Grant and Per Diem Program in 1994.

Since 1988, VA has partnered with hundreds of communities to support more than 1,500 “Stand Downs” across the nation.  Stand Downs give homeless veterans a temporary refuge where they can obtain food, shelter, clothing and a range of community and VA assistance.  For more information on VA's homeless programs, see http://www.va.gov/homeless/.

VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system, with 153 hospitals, more than 800 clinics, 135 nursing homes and 47 domiciliaries, treating about 1 million patients each week.  

For more information, visit the VA website at www.va.gov or contact VA’s Homeless Veterans Programs Office at (202) 461-7401, or e-mail VA at homelessvets@mail.va.gov.

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