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VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program
(Note: The number of vans was limited to 20 for the life of this grant.
This Van Restriction has not been lifted.)
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
Program Accomplishments
During the first five rounds of funding, more than 400 applications were received, requesting approximately $200 million to acquire, renovate, or construct supportive housing or service center facilities for homeless veterans or to purchase vans for outreach and transportation. Total VA funding for these projects was over $26 million. When these projects are completed, approximately 2,500 new community-based beds will be available for homeless veterans. Additionally, under this funding, 14 homeless veterans service centers will be established; 20 vans have been purchased by entities to conduct outreach or provide transportation for homeless veterans; and five mobile service center units will provide medical care and/or counseling services for homeless veterans with limited access to treatment. Most programs have been awarded grants for acquiring and renovating facilities. A small number of programs have been awarded a grant for new construction of buildings or acquiring already renovated facilities. Twenty programs were awarded grants to purchase vans for outreach and transportation. The majority of grant funding for housing will create transitional housing for homeless veterans. Of this transitional housing or in addition to it, supportive housing beds will be created for special populations including homeless elderly veterans, female veterans, veterans experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems, and homeless terminally ill veterans. In addition to housing, the funding will also create service centers that provide linkages with other community resources, job training, and/or emergency services in an effort to engage the homeless veteran in more longer term support. The projects funded to purchase vans will be using the vehicles for expanding outreach efforts and providing transportation for homeless veterans to VA and community services.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590) established the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
The Act authorizes VA to assist public or non-profit private entities with partial funding for "bricks and mortar" to create supportive housing or services centers or to purchase vans for outreach and transportation.
The Act also authorizes VA to partially fund operating expenses for these facilities through per diem payments.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants eligible for grants include public and nonprofit private entities with the capacity to effectively administer a grant; which demonstrate that adequate financial support will be available to carry out the project; and which agree to and demonstrate capacity to meet the applicable criteria and requirements of the grant program.
Applicants eligible for per diem payments include public or nonprofit private entities who are either grant recipients, or who are eligible to receive a grant.
Programs eligible for coverage under per diem payments must have been established after November 10, 1992.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Veterans, meaning a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, and with OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Application documents include a Standard Form 424, 424C and 424D, as well as VA Form 10-0361.
Once per year if funds are available for the program, VA will publish in the Federal Register a notice of fund availability, soliciting applications for the grant program and information on applications for requesting eligibility to receive per diem payments.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
The application forms required by 38 CFR 17.700, "VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program," and furnished by the Federal agency must be used for the program.
Award Procedures
Formal approval of the award of assistance is made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; the program is administered by Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group.
Deadlines
Deadlines for program applications are established in the notice of fund availability.
Authorization
Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992, Sections 3 and 4, Public Law 102-590; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note; Public Law 104-110.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
For grant applicants, from 30 to 60 work days after receipt of items in the Second Submission section of the grant application package, including documentation on acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction; match and feasibility; matching funds; supportive services; and operating budget. For recognition by VA as eligible to receive per diem payments, 30 to 60 days after formal recognition is approved, pending availability of funds.
Appeals
If an application would have been selected but for a procedural error committed by VA, VA will select that application for potential funding when sufficient funds become available, if there is no material change in the information that resulted in its selection. A new application will not be required for this purpose.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Refer to 38 CFR 17.706. Federal participation provides up to 65 percent of total project cost, with the grant recipient providing the remainder. Once funds are obligated for a grant project, VA will not increase the amount obligated.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
For the grant program, appropriation expires at the end of each fiscal year. Length of time limitations for the per diem programs are not established, however, per diem is contingent on availability of VA program funds. Reimbursement payments are made to the recipient based on the Federal share of costs incurred.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Required in accordance with 38 CFR 17.700.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Three categories of records should be maintained by VA and the contractor: (a) contractor fiscal records; (b) contractor treatment records; and (c) VA record summaries of treatment provided. Contractor fiscal records should be maintained by the contractor until they are certified by the General Accounting Office, as guided by Records Control Schedule 10-1. Contractor treatment records should be maintained by the contractor for a period of three years after the date of last patient activity before being disposed of by the contractor. Contractor summaries and related records will be maintained by the appropriate VA health care facility until three years after the last episode of care, then they will be filed with VA's Consolidated Health Records for each veteran patient. Consolidated Health Records are retained by the VA facility for 75 years from the last episode of care.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0160-0-1-703.
Obigations
(Grants & Per Diem) FY 07 $81,187,000; FY 08 est $107,180,000; and FY 09 est $122,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$12,610 to $541,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations 17.700 - 17.731, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Program Manager, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group (116E), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-8966. (This is not a toll-free number.) Toll-free (1 877) 322-0334. Contacts: Victor Harris - Telephone: (202) 273-8443. Roger Casey - Telephone: (1 877) 322-0334.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
As required by 38 CFR 17.700, applications are reviewed, rated and ranked in priority order. Selection criteria include: (a) Quality of the project. (b)Targeting to persons on street and in shelters. (c) Ability of the applicant to develop and operate a project. (d) Need for the type of project proposed in the area to be served. (e) Innovative quality of the proposal. (f) Leveraging. (g) Cost effectiveness. (h) Coordination with other programs.
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