ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) \u2014 The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $44,696,208 in grants to community organizations to help Veterans in the 2027 fiscal year who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
“VA medical centers across Pennsylvania remain committed to ensuring Veterans have access to safe, stable housing and the supportive services they need to thrive,” said David DiGiacomo, Interim Medical Center Director of the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. “These grants strengthen our partnerships with community organizations and help us reach Veterans where they are, providing resources that make a meaningful difference in their lives.”<\/p>\n
Resource and supportive services grants will be distributed through the agency’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, while funding for transitional housing and intensive supportive services will be provided through the agency’s Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program.<\/p>\n
The SSVF program helps:<\/p>\n
Prevent the imminent loss of housing for veterans.<\/p>\n
Find new and more suitable housing for veterans and their families.<\/p>\n
Rapidly rehouse veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness and may remain homeless without assistance.<\/p>\n
The GPD program helps:<\/p>\n
Fund transitional housing, supportive services and service centers.<\/p>\n
Support transition-in-place housing, allowing veterans to remain in their current housing while receiving services that help them achieve permanent, stable housing.<\/p>\n
Provide specialized housing designed to better serve women veterans and those who are chronically mentally ill, frail or elderly.<\/p>\n
Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n This funding is part of a record-high $1.17 billion in grants awarded to 680 organizations across the U.S. to fight Veteran homelessness.<\/p>\n You can view the full list of SSVF and GPD awardees here<\/a>.<\/p>\n