3.6 Ending Homelessness for Veterans and Their Families Speaker: Suzanne Wagner In order to reach the federal goal of ending veterans homelessness by 2015, new grants such as Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) have recently been released. This workshop will look at how these and other programs will be implemented to prevent homelessness and help homeless veterans and their families reconnect to housing in their communities.

1. Suzanne Wagner
Housing Innovations

2.  VA Plan to End Homelessness by 2015
 New Program Models
 Serving Families
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3.  Project H.O.M.E., The Philadelphia Multi-
Service & Education Center, and Impact
Services Corporation
 Financial Assistance and Housing
Stabilization Services are available to assist
Veteran families who are homeless or are at
risk of becoming homeless
 PASSVF provides prevention and rapid re-
housing
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4.  Provide rental assistance, security/utility
assistance, moving costs, case
management, housing search and placement
 Have used SSVF to prevent homelessness for
people in VASH and to help people in VASH
maintain housing
 Targeting people below 30% of AMI
◦ 1 person = income below $16,900
◦ 3 people = income below $21,700
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5.  While financial assistance was not a required
service in SSVF, they decided to include it
 Almost all households receive both financial
assistance and support services
 Prevention and RR almost equal for Singles
 Families more likely to use Prevention
 Few Vets from recent conflicts – most are
aged 45+
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6.  Working with veterans who have 30% AMI
income has been particularly challenging.
 Working to help increase veteran household
income has been key
 Have used an array of community resources
ranging from VA benefits screening, public
assistance, food banks etc to attempt to
increase the housing success rate for this
population
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8.  Very low income (50% AMI)
 Individuals and families
 Occupying permanent housing
◦ Currently in permanent housing
◦ Homeless but slated for permanent housing within
90 days
◦ Have exited permanent housing within past 90 days
and seeking other long-term housing responsive to
needs and preferences

9.  Outreach
◦ Hard-to-reach Veterans
◦ Include active liaison with local VA and community
organizations
 Case management
◦ Assessment
◦ linkages
 Assistance in obtaining VA benefits
 Assistance in obtaining other public benefits --
referral
◦ Health care
◦ Daily living services

10.  Grantees required to refer or directly provide
◦ Personal financial planning
◦ Transportation (tokens, can lease vehicle, car
maintenance and repair up to $1,000 in 3 years)*
◦ Assist in obtaining mainstream benefits
◦ Fiduciary and representative payee services
◦ Legal services (‘issues that interfere with ability’ to
be housed)*
◦ Child care – payments limited to 4 months in 1 year
period*
◦ Housing counseling
*not in hprp

11.  Grantees may provide:
◦ Rental assistance: no more than 8 months in 3
years; no more than 5 months in a 12 month
period; current rent or arrears
◦ Utility assistance: no more than 4 months in a 3
year period;
◦ Security deposits: no more than 1 every 3 years
◦ Moving costs: no more than 1 every 3 years
◦ Purchase emergency supplies: no more than
$500/person/3 years