VA Grants Fund Housing, Support for Homeless Veterans
Author: Department of Veterans Affairs
Published: 23 Sep 2008 - Updated: 5 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Announcement
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This report provides official documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding federal grant allocations specifically designed to address veteran homelessness through community partnerships. The information carries governmental authority as it originates directly from VA announcements and details concrete funding amounts, recipient organizations, and bed capacity across multiple states and territories. Veterans experiencing homelessness, service organizations, and disability advocates will find this resource valuable as it outlines the scope of available assistance programs, transportation support, and the integration of housing with healthcare and employment services. The detailed state-by-state breakdown of grant recipients makes it particularly useful for veterans seeking local resources or organizations applying for similar funding opportunities.*
At a Glance
- 1 - The program funded 49 grants for vans. These vehicles transport homeless veterans to health care and job training programs.
- 2 - VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake announced the awards. He described the community partnerships as a helping hand for those who served in uniform.
- 3 - Recipients span 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Awards ranged from small van grants to a 2 million dollar new building in Renton, Washington.
- 4 - The Grant and Per Diem program cut homelessness among veterans on a typical night by 21 percent to roughly 154,000. VA also delivered health care to about 100,000 homeless veterans that year.
Topic Definition
- VA Grants for Homeless Veterans
The VA Grant and Per Diem program is the Department of Veterans Affairs' primary funding mechanism for reducing homelessness among former service members. Rather than building and running shelters directly, the VA channels money to public agencies and community non-profit organizations that provide temporary housing along with wraparound support such as medical care, substance abuse counseling, and employment assistance. Grants cover a range of needs, from constructing new buildings and renovating existing facilities to purchasing vans that carry veterans to appointments and training. By working through local partners in dozens of states, the program builds a nationwide network that responds to regional needs while keeping federal standards and oversight in place, giving veterans a structured path from the street back toward stable, independent living.
Overview
Homeless veterans in 35 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will get more assistance, thanks to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants providing $36.7 million to community groups to create 1,526 beds for homeless veterans this year.
"These grants provide a helping hand to veterans who have served our nation in uniform," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Our partnerships with community-based organizations provide safe, temporary housing while these veterans return to productive lives."
VA has identified public and community non-profit groups eligible to receive payments for housing and supportive services to homeless veterans, including 49 grants for vans that will transport homeless veterans to health care and training programs.
The grants are part of VA's continuing efforts to reduce homelessness among veterans. VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country. In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians working with community partners conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatments, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance.
VA's Grant and Per Diem program helped reduce the number of veterans who are homeless on a typical night last year by 21 percent to about 154,000 veterans. VA also provides health care to about 100,000 homeless veterans, compensation and assistance in obtaining foreclosed homes and excess federal property, including clothes, footwear, blankets and other items.
| State | City | Recipients | Amount | Program |
| Ala. | Huntsville | Volunteers of America, N. America | $514,475 | 50 beds |
| Ariz. | Tucson | Comin' Home | $18,686 | One van |
| Tucson | Old Pueblo Community Foundation | $270,000 | 12 beds | |
| Calif. | Bakersfield | Calif. Veterans Assistance Foundation | $19,500 | One van |
| Desert Hot Springs | Help for Future Leaders | $8,872 | One van | |
| Dixon | Fairfield-Suison Community Action Council | $332,150 | 12 beds, one van | |
| Fresno | WestCare Calif. | $338,650 | 20 beds, one van | |
| Stockton | Dignity's Alcove | $377.793 | Renovation, van 20 beds | |
| Los Angeles | New Directions | $61,425 | Renovation, six beds | |
| Modesto | Salvation Army, Calif. Corp | $250,250 | Renovation, 20 beds | |
| Los Angeles | Volunteers of America, Los Angeles | $317,450 | 25 beds for frail elderly | |
| San Bernadino | Salvation Army, Calif. Corp | $150,0000 | New construct, five beds | |
| Whittier | Salvation Army, Calif. Corp | $150,000 | New construct, four beds | |
| Colo. | Greeley | Catholic Charities, Diocese of Denver | $384,709 | New construct, 13 beds, one van |
| Conn. | Danbury | Non-Profit Development Corp of Danbury | $262,925 | Renovation, six beds |
| East Hartford | Community Renewal Team | $363,590 | Renovation, 12 beds | |
| D.C. | Washington | All Faith Consortium | $22,425 | One van |
| Fla. | Cocoa | Volunteers of America of Florida | $18,252 | One van |
| Ft. Lauderdale | Keystone Halls | $260,650 | 25 beds, one van | |
| Gainesville | Alachua County Housing Authority | $1,995,500 | New bldg, 112 beds | |
| Key West | Volunteers of America of Florida | $18,252 | One van | |
| Kissimmee | Transition House | $18,850 | One van | |
| Orlando | Center for Drug Free Living | $997,977 | 32 beds | |
| Miami | Volunteers of America of Florida | $18,252 | One van | |
| Tallahassee | Volunteers of America of Florida | $1,021,900 | New bldg, 52 beds | |
| Tallahassee | Volunteers of America of Florida | $18,252 | One van | |
| Tampa | Tampa Crossroads | $343,499 | Renovation, 16 beds, one van | |
| Iowa | Des Moines | 180 Degrees | $64,665 | Renovation, 9 beds |
| Ill. | Joliet | Family & Friends Day Center | $283,729 | New bldg, 20 beds, one van |
| Springfield | Fifth Street Renaissance | $546,00 | New bldg, 15 beds | |
| Ind. | Fort Wayne | Volunteers of American of Indiana | $11.989 | One van |
| Indianapolis | HealthNet | $14,146 | One van | |
| Kan. | Summerfield | Care Center of Good Shepherd | $21,519 | One van |
| La. | Shreveport | Volunteers of American of N. Louisiana | $1,009,069 | New bldg, 56 beds |
| Mass. | Boston | Volunteers of America of Massachusetts | $63,729 | Renovation, 16 beds |
| Brockton | Father Bill's & MainSpring | $400,00 | New construct, 15 beds | |
| Gardner | Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center | $14,755 | One van | |
| Leeds, Pittsfield | United Veterans of America, Solder On | $34,798 | One van | |
| Lynn | Volunteers of America of Massachusetts | $1,107,517 | Renovation, 20 beds | |
| Shrewbury | Massachusetts Veterans | $1,503,055 | New bldg, 30 beds | |
| Maine | Saco | Volunteers of America, Northern New England | $17,875 | One van |
| Md. | TBD | Arundel House of Hope | $341,250 | New bldg, 6 beds, one van |
| Baltimore | Baltimore Station | $1,326,468 | New bldg, 40 beds | |
| Hagerstown | Way Station | $1,600,000 | New bldg, 27 beds | |
| Mich. | Detroit | Salvation Army | $800,000 | New bldg, 38 beds |
| Detroit | Volunteers of America of Michigan | $1,531,734 | New bldg, 60 beds | |
| Mo. | St. Louis | 2nd Genesis Group Home & Community Center | $176,459 | Renovation, 30 beds, one van |
| Mont. | Billings | Volunteers of America, Wyoming & Montana | $1,320,540 | New bldg, 20 beds, one van |
| Crow Agency | Crow Tribe | $765,390 | New bldg, 20 beds, one van | |
| Missoula | Missoula Housing Authority | $14,745 | One van | |
| Neb. | Omaha | Christian Worship Center | $1,891,905 | New bldg, 26 beds |
| N.H. | Nashua | Harbor Homes | $26,942 | One van |
| Nashua, Manchester | Harbor Homes | $1,200,000 | New construct, 40 beds | |
| Nashua, Manchester | Harbor Homes | $26,942 | One van | |
| N.J. | Bernards Township | Community Hope | $21,044 | One van |
| Camden | Volunteers of America, Delaware Valley | $914,550 | Renovation, 28 beds | |
| East Orange | Restoration Outreach Christian Kare Center | $926,250 | New bldg, 40 beds | |
| N.M. | Albuquerque | Metropolitan Homelessness Project | $32,500 | One van |
| N.Y. | Brooklyn | Doe Fund | $23,976 | One van |
| Long Island City | City of New York | $1,090,500 | Renovation, 226 beds, one van | |
| Rochester | Veterans Outreach Center | $15,264 | One van | |
| N.C. | High Point | Caring Services | $19,505 | One van |
| Ridgecrest | First at Blue Ridge | $21,434 | One van | |
| Ohio | Cleveland | Hitchcock Center for Women | $1,973 | Renovation, 3 beds |
| Kent | Family and Community Services | $25,917 | One van | |
| Penn. | Coatesville | Fresh Start Foundation | $21,840 | One van |
| Harrisburg | Shalom House | $194,987 | New bldg, eight beds | |
| Puerto Rico | Hormingas | Veteran Homestead | $20,625 | One van |
| R.I. | Providence | Operation Stand Down, Rhode Island | $300,300 | New bldg, six beds, one van |
| S.C. | Alcolu | Have Faith Community Development | $282,637 | New construct, 14 beds, one van |
| Charleston | Crisis Ministries | $166,910 | Renovation, 10 beds | |
| Columbia | Providence Home | $78,033 | New construct, 11 beds | |
| North Charleston | Good Neighbor Center | $542,100 | Renovation, 14 beds, one van | |
| North Charleston | Chesapeake Health Education Program | $422,500 | New bldg, 20 beds | |
| Tenn. | Clarksville | Buffalo Valley | $19,937 | Renovation, six beds |
| Nashville | Campus for Human Development | $487,460 | New bldg, 25 beds | |
| Nashville | Next Stage | $332,800 | Renovation, 25 beds | |
| Texas | Ft. Worth | Mental Health Mental Retardation of Tarrant County | $600,000 | Renovation, 30 beds |
| Utah | Ogden | Homeless Veterans Fellowship | $113,607 | New bldg, eight beds |
| Va. | Newport News | Malachi House International | $201,500 | New bldg, 10 beds |
| Vt. | Burlington | Committee on Temporary Shelter | $1,240,000 | New bldg, 20 beds |
| Northfield | Veterans' Place | 771,174 | Renovation, 26 beds, one van | |
| White River Junction. | Massachusetts Veterans | $442,000 | New bldg, 10 beds, one van | |
| Wash. | Renton | Compass Center | $2,000,000 | New bldg, 36 beds |
| Spokane | Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho | $24,700 | Renovation, six beds | |
| Wisc. | Madison | Porchlight | $240,630 | Renovation, 22 beds |
| Tomah | Veterans Assistance Foundation | $35,100 | Two vans | |
| Wy. | Sheridan | Volunteers of America, Wyoming and Montana | $636,637 | New bldg, 10 beds, one van |
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
Who qualifies as a homeless veteran for these programs
A homeless veteran is generally someone who served in the armed forces and lacks stable, fixed, or adequate nighttime housing, including those living in shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation. Specific eligibility is determined by the VA and the community organization administering each grant.
How can a veteran find a Grant and Per Diem provider near them
Veterans can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, speak with a VA social worker, or visit their local VA medical center to be referred to a participating community provider. Many providers are the non-profit organizations that receive these grants directly.
What supportive services are offered alongside housing
Beyond a bed, providers typically offer case management, clinical assessments, medical treatment, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and employment assistance. The goal is to address the underlying causes of homelessness rather than only its symptoms.
How long can a veteran stay in Grant and Per Diem housing
Grant and Per Diem housing is designed as transitional rather than permanent, with stays commonly lasting up to 24 months. The length depends on the provider and the veteran's progress toward stable independent living.
Can community organizations still apply for VA homeless veteran funding
Yes, the VA periodically issues Notices of Funding Opportunity for the Grant and Per Diem program. Public agencies and non-profit organizations submit applications describing the housing, services, or transportation they will provide.
Is there a cost to veterans who use these housing programs
Participating veterans generally are not charged for transitional housing funded through the Grant and Per Diem program. Providers receive a per diem payment from the VA to cover the cost of care and lodging.
What is the difference between Grant and Per Diem and HUD-VASH
Grant and Per Diem funds transitional housing and services through community providers, while HUD-VASH combines Housing Choice vouchers with VA case management for permanent housing. The two programs often work together along a continuum of care.
Does the VA help homeless veterans with more than housing
Yes, the VA also provides health care, disability compensation assistance, and help obtaining foreclosed homes and excess federal property such as clothing, footwear, and blankets. These resources supplement the housing and transportation grants.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The VA's Grant and Per Diem program represents a critical infrastructure in the fight against veteran homelessness, having contributed to a 21 percent reduction in homeless veterans during the reporting period. What makes this funding approach particularly effective is its dual focus - not merely providing temporary shelter, but coupling housing with comprehensive supportive services including medical treatment, substance abuse counseling, and job training. The partnership model with community-based organizations creates a decentralized network that can respond to regional needs while maintaining federal oversight and standards. For veterans transitioning from homelessness, these programs offer more than a bed - they provide a structured pathway back to stability. The transportation grants, while seemingly minor compared to housing allocations, address a practical barrier that often prevents homeless veterans from accessing the very services designed to help them, demonstrating attention to the full spectrum of challenges facing this vulnerable population.*
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Department of Veterans Affairs and published on 23 Sep 2008, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.