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Homeless Grant Program
History
VA is the only Federal agency that provides substantial hands-on assistance
directly to homeless veterans. Data from a national VA survey conducted in
September 1995, showed that 22% of all veterans hospitalized in VA acute
care and domiciliary beds were homeless at the time of admission. Rates of
homelessness varied from a high of 51% in substance abuse treatment programs,
to 49% in domiciliary care programs, 26% in general psychiatry programs, and
6% in medical-surgical programs. Of homeless veterans identified in the
survey, almost half (4,582 or 45%) were doubled up temporarily with family
members or friends.
Program
The Office of Construction & Facilities Management (FM) provides technical support to the
homeless program by assisting in facility design and construction. FM's,
Facilities Quality Service works as a program consultant to VHA's Mental
Health and Behavior Sciences Service (MHBSS) to review proposals for their
Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program. FM assures quality control by reviewing
the grants for compliance with Federal, State, and local mandated
requirements: Fire/Safety, Accessibility, Environmental Compliance and
Historic Preservation. In addition, FM provides inspection services of the
completed works to help MHBSS maintain quality control and improve the
delivery MHBSS maintain quality control and improve the delivery process.
Results
During the first ten rounds of funding (FY 94 through FY 04) of the Homeless
Grant Program, FM participated in the review of more than 1600 applications
that resulted in VA awarding grants worth $100 million in construction to
non-profit or government organizations in all VA networks. FM's quality
review of each of these grants and consultation with VHA Mental Health
Strategic Healthcare Group on all phases of the construction process has
helped in the creation of approximately 8,000 new community based beds for
homeless veterans.
Contact
Program Technical Support Officer
Dennis Hancher, Architect 202.565.5825
Program Support Service
Office of Construction & Facilities Management
811 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Links
The Homeless Assistance Programs and Initiatives website is at
http://www.va.gov/homeless/.
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