$300 million boost for homeless vets

On the heels of the Notice of Funds Availability issued a month ago to provide housing and services to veterans with special needs, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced $300 million in grants for homeless veterans and their families.

The money will be given to more than 300 community organizations and agencies in all 50 states (plus Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C.) to help 115,000 homeless veterans.

One of the services provided is called the VA Supportive Housing Program. In association with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD-VASH has more than 58,000 housing choice vouchers that will allow veterans (and their families) to live in rental housing while getting case-management services from the VA.

Support services include health care, daily living, personal finance, transportation, fiduciary and payee, legal, child care and housing counseling. The community organizations will be able to help with security deposits, utilities, moving costs and rent payments. They’ll help get VA benefits and public benefits as well. To qualify, a veteran needs to make less than 50 percent of the median income in the area.

If you or someone you know is in need of homeless programs, go online to www.va.gov/homeless. For Support Services for Veteran Families or homeless veterans, see www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp or call 1-877-424-3838. They’re open 24/7. Look online for 2014 Awards to see the complete list by city and state of community organizations awarded funds.

Your best bet: If you know you’re in danger of losing your accommodations, your electricity or your heat, call for help before that happens. Before you know it, cold weather will be here. Get your living situation stabilized.

Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected]. © 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.