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 Granteesand alsoshared 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 Implementation11/19/2021 12:00pm EST 

DUE:Legal Services Planning Tool Due11/23/2021    

 

 

 

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 Implementation11/19/2021 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 Due11/23/2021   

    

The National expansion of SSVF Legal Services is an opportunity to increase Veteran access through expanded and improved direct legal partnerships. SSVFGrantees 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 eachGrantee’s plan of implementation. Tips and resources are included in the template to supportGrantees with formulating their plan and having conversations with their legal partner.   One plan perGrantee is to be completed in collaboration with theGrantee’s identified legal services provider, to be submitted via email to your Regional Coordinator by11/23/2021.

 

Please access the toolusingthe following link:https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/Legal_Services_Planning_Tool.doc     

 

 

With Regards,       

SSVF Program Office