The VA's Ending Veteran Homelessness
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded over $800 million in grants to community nonprofits to help homeless veterans or those at risk of homelessness secure housing. The VA announced that 239 grants worth $797.5 million will support local organizations in rapidly moving veterans into rental housing, providing financial aid to prevent eviction, and offering additional services to help veterans live independently. Additionally, 14 grants totaling $8.9 million will fund temporary housing for homeless veterans awaiting permanent placement and cover the costs of social workers who assist veterans with benefits, job training, and other resources. The VA's budget for homeless programs is set at $3.1 billion for fiscal 2024, with plans to increase it to $3.21 billion in 2025. These efforts are part of the VA's commitment to the "housing first" approach, which prioritizes immediate housing followed by comprehensive support services. Despite these initiatives, the number of homeless veterans increased by 7.4% in 2023.
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