Homeless Veterans

Grant and Per Diem Program

Important Information About the Grant and Per Diem Program Transformation

To continue to meet the evolving needs of homeless Veterans, the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program is changing. The transformation involves implementing a competitive, time-limited grant process that will require currently funded GPD community providers to reapply for funding so that GPD grantees are located where their services are needed most by homeless Veterans.

GPD Transformation Fact Sheet
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Program Description

VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is offered annually (as funding permits) by the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs to fund community agencies providing services to homeless Veterans. The purpose is to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and/or supportive services with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination.

Only programs with supportive housing (up to 24 months) or service centers (offering services such as case management, education, crisis intervention, counseling, services targeted towards specialized populations including homeless women Veterans, etc.) are eligible for these funds. The program has two levels of funding: the Grant Component and the Per Diem Component.

Grants: Limit is 65% of the costs of construction, renovation, or acquisition of a building for use as service centers or transitional housing for homeless Veterans. Renovation of VA properties is allowed, acquiring VA properties is not. Recipients must obtain the matching 35% share from other sources. Grants may not be used for operational costs, including salaries.

Per Diem: Priority in awarding the Per Diem funds goes to the recipients of Grants. Non-Grant programs may apply for Per Diem under a separate announcement, when published in the Federal Register, announcing the funding for "Per Diem Only."

Operational costs, including salaries, may be funded by the Per Diem Component. For supportive housing, the maximum amount payable under the per diem is $45.79 per day per Veteran housed. Veterans in supportive housing may be asked to pay rent if it does not exceed 30% of the Veteran's monthly-adjusted income. In addition, "reasonable" fees may be charged for services not paid with Per Diem funds. The maximum hourly per diem rate for a service center not connected with supportive housing is 1/8 of the daily cost of care, not to exceed the current VA State Home rate for domiciliary care. Payment for a Veteran in a service center will not exceed 8 hours in any day.

Applications are not accepted for Capital Grants or "Per Diem Only" funding until the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is published in the Federal Register. Funds will be awarded to programs determined to be the most qualified. The contact person for the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is Jeff Quarles. Mr. Quarles may be contacted (toll-free): 1-877-332-0334; E-mail: VA Grant and Per Diem Program. The Homeless programs are administered nationally by Dr. Keith Harris, Acting National Director, VHA Homeless Programs, VA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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Helpful Resources

Guidance and Regulations for Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
 Press Release for Special Need Grant Awards
 Special Need Grant Awardee List
 A Message From the Deputy Secretary to GPD Grantees (March 1, 2016)
 GPD Regulations (38 CFR 61.0) (published February 25, 2013)
 GPD Frequently Asked Questions
 Grants.gov *
 Federal Register *
 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) *
 GPD Provider Webpage

*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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