VA Awards Homeless Assistance Grants; Six Public and Private Nonprofit Groups in California Included.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 19, 1999--

California Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tomas Alvarado today announced that 51 public and private nonprofit groups, including six groups in California, will receive awards from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under its Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, to develop new programs to assist homeless veterans.

"VA is taking another great step...to break the cycle of homelessness among America's veterans," said U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West.

"Veterans who find themselves homeless in America will have a variety of transitional houses and other assistance available as a result of the new programs we fund..."

Awardees from 26 states and the District of Columbia will receive grants totaling approximately $15 million. The grants, ranging from $25,000 to nearly $1.5 million, will provide up to 65 percent of the cost of acquiring or renovating facilities that will be used for housing or service centers. Nearly 100 organizations applied for this year's VA grants.

Noting there are currently more than 800 veterans who sleep each night in beds already funded under this program, West said that approximately 4,000 community-based beds will be available when these projects and previously funded projects are completed.

With this new round of grants, VA has assisted 178 public and private nonprofit grant recipients in 42 states and the District of Columbia, with new recipients in three more states (Arkansas, Hawaii, and Mississippi). VA has awarded more than $41 million in grants since the program began in 1994.

VA, which has directed more than $100 million to its specialized homeless assistance programs in fiscal year 1999, is the only federal agency providing substantial hands-on assistance directly to homeless persons. In addition to the grant and per diem program, the department administers specialized homeless assistance programs including health care, rehabilitation, outreach and counseling for homeless veterans.

Information on the program is available on VA's home page which can be reached through the Internet at http://www.va.gov/health/homeless/index.htm.

The following is a list of the California awardees including names of the organizations, locations and program descriptions.

VA Grants for Homeless Programs Fiscal Year 1999

The following six public and nonprofit groups in California have been awarded grants to assist homeless veterans under the VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

Eureka, Vietnam Veterans of California Inc.

This organization requests $308,750 from VA for the acquisition and renovation of 4041 F St., Eureka, Calif., to create transitional housing that will provide 30 beds for homeless veterans.

Los Angeles, California Council for Veterans Affairs Inc.

This organization requests $390,000 from VA for the acquisition and renovation of 8652 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, Calif., to create transitional housing that will provide 32 beds for homeless veterans.

Novato, Homeward Bound of Marin

This organization requests $669,500 from VA for the construction of New Beginning Center, 1399 N. Hamilton Parkway, Novato, Calif., and the renovation of Building 829 at 829 State Access Road, Novato, Calif., in order to create transitional housing that will provide 16 beds for homeless veterans and a service center that will provide 400 contacts with veterans per month.

San Diego, San Diego Urban League

This organization requests $555,750 from VA for the acquisition and renovation of 5412 and 5418 Imperial Ave., and 5347 Groveland Drive, San Diego, Calif., to create transitional housing that will provide 34 beds for homeless veterans.

March Air Force Base, Los Angeles Veterans Initiative Inc.

This organization requests $397,000 from VA for the renovation of Building 977 at March Air Force Base, Calif., to create transitional housing that will provide 98 beds for homeless veterans.

Fresno, Central Valley Association for Community Services Inc.

This organization requests $357,500 from VA for the acquisition and renovation of 1383 N. Motel Drive, Fresno, Calif., to create transitional housing that will provide 120 beds for homeless veterans and a service center that will provide 300 contacts with veterans per month.

Note to Editors: This release and previous CDVA news releases are available via e-mail (steve.dakota@cdva.ca.gov) or via fax by News On Demand at 800/356-8440.