From: SSVF
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2021 7:00 AM
Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday November 19, 2021
NOTE: This weekly update is targeted towards the SSVF Grantees and also shared with valuable partners for awareness.
TOPICS:
HOLIDAY
GREETING: Happy
Thanksgiving
SPECIAL
ALERT: Clarification
to Shallow Subsidy Calculation Requirements
REGISTER: SSVF Office Hour Series: Legal Services Expansion - Models
of Implementation 11/19/2021 12:00pm EST
DUE: Legal Services Planning Tool Due 11/23/2021
HOLIDAY
GREETING: Happy Thanksgiving
During this
holiday season, we want to take a moment to reflect upon the good things we
have, such as valuable partners like you. We appreciate working with you and
are truly grateful for your sincere dedication in serving our Nation’s
Veterans. We wish you peace and prosperity this holiday season and hope
that you will enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.
SPECIAL
ALERT: Clarification to Shallow Subsidy Calculation Requirements
The SSVF
Program Office would like to clarify its guidance related to how Shallow
Subsidy calculations must be made. The new Shallow Subsidy Interim Rule allows
Grantees to choose to set their Shallow Subsidy calculation up to 50% of Rent
Reasonableness. The Shallow Subsidy percentage must be uniform - across all
SSVF Grantees with shared geography in a Continuum of Care - and will apply to
all Veterans served by their program(s). The Program Office would like to
clarify that the Shallow Subsidy amount for a given Veteran household should be
calculated based on the rent included in the lease.
All units
supported by SSVF must be determined to have Reasonable Rents using the
standard comparable practice as defined in the program guide. Assuming the unit
the Veteran is leasing is reasonable, the Shallow Subsidy amount is 50% (or the
locally agreed upon %) of the unit rent. For instance, if a Grantee has chosen
to use 50% as the Shallow Subsidy standard for their grant and a Veteran rents
a unit at $1,000 and that rent is determined to be reasonable, the 50% subsidy
would be based on the $1,000 unit rent (subsidy of $500). Even if a unit is
leased with a rent amount that is below the Reasonable Rent for that unit, the
subsidy calculation would still be based on the actual rent amount included in
the lease.
REGISTER: SSVF Office Hour Series: Legal Services Expansion - Models of Implementation 11/19/2021 12:00pm EST
In support of the National SSVF Legal Services expansion, this webinar will provide a review of the models of implementation. Grantees are required to provide legal needs assessment for all Veteran households enrolled in SSVF and direct legal services for those in need. Grantees have the option to implement through contract or in-house counsel. This webinar will also define components of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a subcontracted legal services provider, offer information on monitoring and oversight by FOFA teams and provide an opportunity for Q&A.
Please
register using the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4268138531573998093
After
registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the webinar.
DUE: Legal Services Planning Tool Due 11/23/2021
The National expansion of SSVF Legal Services is an opportunity to increase Veteran access through expanded and improved direct legal partnerships. SSVF Grantees serve a vital role in resolving legal barriers to housing stability via assessment of legal needs and provision of direct legal services. This planning tool will outline each Grantee’s plan of implementation. Tips and resources are included in the template to support Grantees with formulating their plan and having conversations with their legal partner. One plan per Grantee is to be completed in collaboration with the Grantee’s identified legal services provider, to be submitted via email to your Regional Coordinator by 11/23/2021.
Please access
the tool using the
following link: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/Legal_Services_Planning_Tool.doc
With Regards,
SSVF Program Office