Congressman: Local agencies receive federal funds to help get homeless veterans off streets
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today announced four Atlanta-based groups will receive more than $4.5 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fight veterans’ homelessness.
West End Ministries received $159,485 and Decatur Cooperative Ministry Inc. $550,000 to provide financial and emotional support, as well as housing stability, for veterans in the Fourth District and throughout metro Atlanta.
“Often veterans have put their lives on the line for us – for our freedoms,” said Rep. Johnson, who sent letters of support to the VA for the grants. “We must do all we can to help veterans get back on their feet.”
The grants are part of more than a $300 million nationwide effort in homeless prevention that is going to more than 390 non-profit community agencies in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The initiative is targeting 120,000 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families.
The program, Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF), is part of President Obama’s pledge to “be relentless” in his pursuit of ending veterans’ homelessness within the decade.
“With these grants, we are strengthening our partnership with community non-profits across the country to provide veterans and their families with hope, a home, and a future,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The work of Supportive Services for Veteran Families program grantees has already helped us prevent and end homelessness among tens of thousands of homeless veterans and their families, but as long as a single veteran lives on our streets, we have work to do.”
The other local community agencies receiving federal funds to fight veteran homelessness are Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.
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