Michigan agencies get $8 million in grants to combat veteran homelessness

Homeless veterans in Michigan and other states across the country are getting additional help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the form of more than $300 million in federal grants.

Twelve nonprofit veteran organizations in Michigan are sharing around $8.1 million of the fiscal 2017 grants to help end homelessness among low-income veterans and their families. Of those, five agencies are affiliated with the Detroit VA. The VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program has awarded the grants. The initiative helps eligible low-income veterans find stable housing and get back on their feet.

The grants will fund case management, outreach and other assistance to prevent veteran homelessness. They will also contribute to rapidly rehousing veterans who become homeless between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Veterans will be given help with obtaining VA benefits and other service such as health care, legal assistance, child care and transportation.

“The number of veterans who served our country who are homeless is deeply troubling,” said U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “This funding will support local groups that work day in and day out to help veterans and their families transition into permanent housing and access the support services they need.”

According to the VA, veteran homelessness has decreased 47 percent since the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness began in 2010. Since then, the VA and Department of Housing and Urban Development have provided over 360,000 former service members and their families with rapid rehousing, permanent housing or help in preventing homelessness.

Tagged with: ,