[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49318-49323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20319]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran
Families (SSVF) Program
AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA).
ACTION: Notice of funding availability (NOFA).
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SUMMARY: VA is announcing the availability of funds for supportive
services grants under the SSVF Program. This NOFA contains information
concerning the SSVF Program, initial supportive services grant
application processes, and the amount of funding available.
Funding Opportunity Title: SSVF Program.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SSVF-021015.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.033, VA SSVF
Program.
VA is announcing the availability of funds for supportive services
grants under the SSVF Program. This NOFA contains information
concerning the SSVF Program, initial supportive services grant
application processes, and the amount of funding available. Awards made
for supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October
1, 2015.
DATES: Applications for supportive services grants under the SSVF
Program must be received by the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on September 1, 2015. In the interest of fairness to all
competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA
will treat as ineligible for consideration any application that is
received after the deadline. Applicants should take this practice into
account and make early submission of their materials to avoid any risk
of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer
service outages, or other delivery-related problems.
ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the
application can be downloaded directly from the SSVF Program Web site
at: www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Questions should be referred to the
SSVF Program Office via email at [email protected]. For detailed SSVF Program
information and requirements, see Section 62 of Title 38, Code of
Federal Regulations (38 CFR part 62).
Submission of Application Package: Applicants are strongly
encouraged to submit applications electronically following instructions
found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Alternatively applicants can
mail in applications. If mailed, applicants must submit two completed,
collated, hard copies of the application and two compact discs (CD)
containing electronic versions of the entire application are required.
Each application copy must (i) be fastened with a binder clip, and (ii)
contain tabs listing the major sections of and exhibits to the
application. Each CD must be labeled with the applicant's name and must
contain an electronic copy of the entire application. A budget template
must be attached in Excel format on the CD, but all other application
materials may be attached in a PDF or other format. The application
copies and CDs must be submitted to the following address: Supportive
Services for Veteran Families Program Office National Center on
Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201,
Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants must submit two hard copies and two
CDs. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX). Applications must
be received in the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the
application deadline date. Applications must arrive as a complete
package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the
application package for consideration and may result in the application
being rejected.
Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical
assistance with the preparation of an initial supportive services grant
application is available on the SSVF Program Web site at: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Kuhn, SSVF Program Office,
National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue,
Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; via email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Purpose: The SSVF Program's purpose is to provide supportive
services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer
cooperatives, who will coordinate or provide supportive services to
very low-income Veteran families who: (i) Are residing in permanent
housing; (ii) are homeless and scheduled to become residents of
permanent housing within a specified time period; or (iii) after
exiting permanent housing within a specified time period, are seeking
other housing that is responsive to such very
[[Page 49319]]
low-income Veteran family's needs and preferences.
B. Funding Priorities: VA is making funding available for up to
four awards, not to exceed $3.5 million. Up to two awards will provide
up to $3 million for services in the State of Wyoming. An award of up
to $1 million will be available to provide services in western
Nebraska. An award of up to $60,000 will be made available to provide
services to Lake County in the State of Indiana. VA may make
adjustments to proposed budgets submitted by applicants to ensure that
the overall funding from this NOFA does not exceed $3.5 million.
C. Definitions: Part 62 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations
(38 CFR 62), contains definitions of terms used in the SSVF Program,
eligibility criteria, and programmatic priorities. Respondents to this
NOFA should base their proposals and applications on the requirements
of part 62 as it exists today. Any parties receiving supportive
services grants as a result of this NOFA will be required to comply
with those requirements for the duration of their grant.
D. Approach: Grantees will be expected to leverage supportive
services grant funds to enhance the housing stability of very low-
income Veteran families who are occupying permanent housing. In doing
so, grantees are required to establish relationships with local
community resources. Therefore, agencies must work through coordinated
partnerships built either through formal agreements or the informal
working relationships commonly found amongst strong social service
providers. As part of the application, under 38 CFR 62.22(e), all
applicants are strongly encouraged to provide letters of support from
their respective VA Network Homeless Coordinator (or their designee).
In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide letters of
support from the Continuums of Care (CoC) where they plan to deliver
services that reflect the applicant's engagement in the CoC's efforts
to coordinate services. CoCs may elect to provide VA with a rank order
of their support in lieu of providing individual letters of support. A
CoC is a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to
meet the needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable
housing and maximize self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end
homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness (CoC locations and
contact information can be found at the Department of Housing and Urban
Development's (HUD) Web site, http://www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewCocMaps). This coordination should describe the
applicant's participation in the CoC's coordinated assessment efforts
(coordinated assessment refers to a common process for accessing
homeless assistance services including: Prevention, diversion,
emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, supportive
services and even permanent supportive housing). In addition, any
applicant proposing to serve an Indian Tribal area is strongly
encouraged to provide a letter of support from the relevant Indian
Tribal Government. The aim of the provision of supportive services is
to assist very low-income Veteran families residing in permanent
housing to remain stably housed and to rapidly transition those not
currently in permanent housing to stable housing. SSVF emphasizes the
placement of homeless Veteran families who are described in regulation
as (i) very low-income Veteran families who are homeless and scheduled
to become residents of permanent housing within 90 days, and (ii) very
low-income Veteran families who have exited permanent housing within
the previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to their
needs and preferences. Accordingly, VA encourages eligible entities
skilled in facilitating housing stability and experienced in operating
rapid re-housing programs (i.e., administering HUD's Homelessness
Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, HUD's Emergency Solution Grant
(ESG), or other comparable Federal or community resources) to apply for
supportive services grants. As a crisis intervention program, the SSVF
Program is not intended to provide long-term support for participants,
nor will it be able to address all of the financial and supportive
services needs of participants that affect housing stability. Rather,
when participants require long-term support, grantees should focus on
connecting such participants to income supports, such as employment and
mainstream Federal and community resources (e.g., HUD-VA Supportive
Housing program, HUD Housing Choice Voucher programs, McKinney-Vento
funded supportive housing programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF), and Social Security Income/Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSI/SSDI) etc.) that can provide ongoing support as
required.
Assistance in obtaining or retaining permanent housing is a
fundamental goal of the SSVF Program. Grantees must provide case
management services in accordance with 38 CFR 62.31. Such case
management should include tenant counseling, mediation with landlords
and outreach to landlords.
E. Authority: Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by
38 U.S. Code (U.S.C.) 2044. VA implements the SSVF Program by
regulation in 38 CFR part 62. Funds made available under this NOFA are
subject to the requirements of the aforementioned regulations and other
applicable laws and regulations.
F. Requirements for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: The
grantee's request for funding must be consistent with the limitations
and uses of supportive services grant funds set forth in 38 CFR part 62
and this NOFA. In accordance with the regulations and this NOFA, the
following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded
under this NOFA:
1. Grantees may use a maximum of 10 percent of supportive services
grant funds for administrative costs identified in 38 CFR 62.70.
2. Grantees must use a minimum of 60 percent of the temporary
financial assistance portion of their supportive services grant funds
to serve very low-income Veteran families who qualify under 38 CFR
62.11. (NOTE: Grantees may request a waiver to decrease this minimum,
as discussed in section V.B.3.a.)
3. Grantees may use a maximum of 50 percent of supportive services
grant funds to provide the supportive service of temporary financial
assistance paid directly to a third party on behalf of a participant
for child care, emergency housing assistance, transportation, rental
assistance, utility-fee payment assistance, security deposits, utility
deposits, moving costs, and general housing stability assistance (which
includes emergency supplies) in accordance with 38 CFR 62.33 and 38 CFR
62.34.
G. Guidance for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: It is
VA policy to support a ``Housing First'' model in addressing and ending
homelessness. Housing First establishes housing stability as the
primary intervention in working with homeless persons. The Housing
First approach is based on research that shows that a homeless
individual or household's first and primary need is to obtain stable
housing, and that other issues that may affect the household can and
should be addressed as housing is obtained. Research supports this
approach as an effective means to end homelessness. Housing is not
contingent on compliance with services; instead, participants must
comply with a standard lease agreement and are provided with the
services and supports
[[Page 49320]]
that are necessary to help them do so successfully.
Grantees must develop plans that will ensure that Veteran
participants have the level of income and economic stability needed to
remain in permanent housing after the conclusion of the SSVF
intervention. Both employment and benefits assistance from VA and non-
VA sources represent a significant underutilized source of income
stability for homeless Veterans. The complexity of program rules and
the stigma some associate with entitlement programs contributes to
their lack of use. To this effect, grantees are encouraged to consider
strategies that can lead to prompt and successful access to employment
and benefits that are essential to retaining housing.
1. Consistent with the Housing First model supported by VA,
grantees are expected to offer the following supportive services:
Housing counseling; assisting participants in understanding leases;
securing utilities; making moving arrangements; provide representative
payee services concerning rent and utilities when needed; and mediation
and outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining
housing. Grantees may also assist participants by providing rental
assistance, security or utility deposits, moving costs or emergency
supplies; or using other Federal resources, such as the HUD's ESG, or
supportive services grant funds subject to the limitations described in
this NOFA and 38 CFR 62.34.
2. As SSVF is a short-term crisis intervention, grantees must
develop plans that will produce sufficient income to sustain Veteran
participants in permanent housing after the conclusion of the SSVF
intervention. Grantees must ensure the availability of employment and
vocational services either through the direct provision of these
services or their availability through formal or informal service
agreements. Agreements with Homeless Veteran Reintegration Programs
funded by the U.S. Department of Labor are strongly encouraged. For
participants unable to work due to disability, income must be
established through available benefits programs.
3. Per 38 CFR 62.33, grantees must assist participants in obtaining
public benefits. Grantees must screen all participants for eligibility
for a broad range of entitlements such as TANF, Social Security, the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and local General
Assistance programs. Grantees are expected to access the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's SSI/SSDI Outreach,
Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program either though community linkages or
by training staff to deliver SOAR services. In addition, where
available, grantees should access information technology tools to
support case managers in their efforts to link participants to
benefits.
4. Grantees are encouraged to provide, or assist participants in
obtaining, legal services relevant to issues that interfere with the
participants' ability to obtain or retain permanent housing. (NOTE:
Legal services provided may be protected from release by the grantee or
VA under attorney-client privilege; however, documentation
demonstrating the provision of legal services are subject to audit and
mandatory program monitoring.) Support for legal services can include
paying for court filing fees to assist a participant with issues that
interfere with the participant's ability to obtain or retain permanent
housing or supportive services, including issues that affect the
participant's employability and financial security. Grantees (in
addition to employees and members of grantees) may represent
participants before VA with respect to a claim for VA benefits, but
only if they are recognized for that purpose pursuant to 38 U.S.C.
Chapter 59. Further, the individual providing such representation must
be accredited pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 59.
5. Access to mental health and addiction services are required by
SSVF; however, grantees cannot fund these services directly through the
SSVF grant. Therefore, applicants must demonstrate, through either
formal or informal agreements, their ability to promote rapid access
and engagement to mental health and addiction services for the Veteran
and family members.
6. VA recognizes that extremely low-income Veterans, with incomes
below 30 percent of the area median income, face greater barriers to
permanent housing placement. Grantees should consider how they can
support these participants.
7. When serving participants who are residing in permanent housing,
it is required that the defining question to ask is: ``Would this
individual or family be homeless but for this assistance?'' The grantee
must use a VA approved screening tool with criteria that targets those
most at-risk of homelessness. To qualify for SSVF services, a Veteran
who is served under Category 1 (homeless prevention), the participants
must not have sufficient resources or support networks (e.g., family,
friends, faith-based or other social networks), immediately available
to prevent them from becoming homeless. To further qualify for services
under Category 1, the grantee must document that the participant meets
at least one of the following conditions:
(a) Has moved because of economic reasons two or more times during
the 60 days immediately preceding the application for homelessness
prevention assistance;
(b) Is living in the home of another because of economic hardship;
(c) Has been notified in writing that their right to occupy their
current housing or living situation will be terminated within 21 days
after the date of application for assistance;
(d) Lives in a hotel or motel and the cost of the hotel or motel
stay is not paid by charitable organizations or by Federal, state, or
local Government programs for low-income individuals;
(e) Is exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care
(such as a health care facility, a mental health facility, or
correctional institution) without a stable housing plan; or
(f) Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated
with instability and an increased risk of homelessness, as identified
in the recipient's approved screening tool.
8. Where other funds from community resources are not readily
available, grantees may choose to utilize supportive services grants,
subject to the limitations described in this NOFA and in 38 CFR 62.33
and 62.34, to provide temporary financial assistance. Such assistance
may, subject to the limitations in this NOFA and 38 CFR part 62, be
paid directly to a third party on behalf of a participant for child
care, transportation, emergency housing assistance, rental assistance,
utility-fee payment assistance, security or utility deposits, moving
costs and general housing stability assistance as necessary.
II. Award Information
A. Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of funds for
supportive services grant under the SSVF Program. VA is making funding
available for up to four awards, not to exceed $3.5 million. Up to two
awards will provide up to $3 million for services in the state of
Wyoming. An award of up to $1 million will be available to provide
services in western Nebraska. An award of up to $60,000 will be made
available to provide services to Lake County in the state of Indiana.
VA may make adjustments to proposed budgets submitted by applicants to
ensure that the overall funding from this NOFA does not exceed $3.5
million.
[[Page 49321]]
B. Funding: To be eligible for a supportive services grant offered
through this NOFA, the applicant must be a current SSVF grantee that
has existing operations in areas adjacent to the areas proposed for
funding through this NOFA.
C. Allocation of Funds: Funding will be awarded under this NOFA to
existing grantees for a 1 year period beginning October 1, 2015. The
following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded
under this NOFA:
1. In response to this NOFA, applicants can only submit one
application.
2. A single application may be submitted to serve the contiguous
area of Wyoming and western Nebraska targeted in this NOFA. Should a
single application be submitted, the requested amount cannot exceed
$3.5 million.
3. Applicants must be existing SSVF grantees.
4. To facilitate the rapid launch of services, applicants must
currently provide SSVF services to areas adjacent to one of the
identified target communities specific to the award being sought.
D. Supportive Services Grant Award Period: Grant awards are
generally made for a 1-year period, however, if a successful applicant
currently has a longer award period for their adjacent SSVF grant, the
new award will be combined with their existing grant and the length of
this new award will match the current award period.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants: In order to be eligible, an applicant must
qualify as a private non-profit organization (section 501(c)(3) or
501(c)(19) tax exempt status is required) or a consumer cooperative as
has the meaning given such term in section 202 of the Housing Act of
1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q).
B. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Address to Request Application Package: Download directly from
the SSVF Program Web site at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp or send a
written request for an application to SSVF Program Office, National
Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201,
Philadelphia, PA 19104. Any questions regarding this process should be
referred to the SSVF Program Office via phone at (877) 737-0111 (toll-
free number) or via email at [email protected]. For detailed SSVF Program
information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 62.
B. Content and Form of Application: Applicants are strongly
encouraged to submit applications electronically following instructions
found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Alternatively applicants can
mail in applications. If mailed, applicants must submit two completed
collated, hard copies of the application and two compact discs (CD)
containing electronic versions of the entire application are required.
Each application copy must (i) be fastened with a binder clip, and (ii)
contain tabs listing the major sections of and exhibits to the
application. Each CD must be labeled with the applicant's name and must
contain an electronic copy of the entire application. A budget template
must be attached in Excel format on the CD, but all other application
materials may be attached in a PDF or other format.
C. Submission Dates and Times: Applications for supportive services
grants under the SSVF Program must be received by the SSVF Program
Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 1, 2015. Awards made for
supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 1,
2015. Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials
arriving separately will not be included in the application package for
consideration and may result in the application being rejected.
Additionally, in the interest of fairness to all competing applicants,
this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat as
ineligible for consideration any application that is received after the
deadline. Applicants should take this practice into account and make
early submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of
eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service
outages, or other delivery-related problems.
D. Intergovernmental Review: This section is not applicable to the
SSVF Program.
E. Funding Restrictions: Up to $3.5 million may be awarded
depending on funding availability and subject to available
appropriations for initial supportive services grants to be funded
under this NOFA. Applicants should fill out separate applications for
each supportive services funding request. Funding will be awarded under
this NOFA to existing grantees for a 1 to 3-year period beginning
October 1, 2015 (as described in II.D.).
F. Other Submission Requirements:
1. Applicants shall apply as new applicant using the application
designed for new grants.
2. Additional supportive services grant application requirements
are specified in the initial application package. Submission of an
incorrect or incomplete application package will result in the
application being rejected during threshold review. The application
packages must contain all required forms and certifications. Selections
will be made based on criteria described in 38 CFR part 62 and this
NOFA. Applicants and grantees will be notified of any additional
information needed to confirm or clarify information provided in the
application and the deadline by which to submit such information.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications
electronically. If mailed, applications and CDs must be submitted to
the following address: SSVF Program Office, National Center on
Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201,
Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants must submit two hard copies and two
CDs. Applications may not be sent by FAX.
V. Application Review Information
A. Criteria:
1. VA will only score applicants that meet the following threshold
requirements:
(a) The application is filed within the time period established in
the NOFA, and any additional information or documentation requested by
VA under 38 CFR 62.20(c) is provided within the time frame established
by VA;
(b) The application is completed in all parts;
(c) The applicant is an eligible entity;
(d) The activities for which the supportive services grant is
requested are eligible for funding under this part;
(e) The applicant's proposed participants are eligible to receive
supportive services under this part;
(f) The applicant agrees to comply with the requirements of this
part;
(g) The applicant does not have an outstanding obligation to the
Federal Government that is in arrears and does not have an overdue or
unsatisfactory response to an audit; and
(h) The applicant is not in default by failing to meet the
requirements for any previous Federal assistance.
2. VA will use the criteria described in 38 CFR 62 to score
grantees applying for new supportive services grant:
3. VA will use the following process to select applicants to
receive supportive services grants: VA will score all applicants that
meet the threshold requirements set forth in 38 CFR 62.21 using the
scoring criteria set forth in 38 CFR 62.22.
B. Review and Selection Process: VA will review all supportive
services grant
[[Page 49322]]
applications in response to this NOFA according to the following steps:
1. Score all applications that meet the threshold requirements
described in 38 CFR 62.21.
2. Rank those applications who score at least 75 cumulative points
and receive at least one point under each of the categories identified
for new applicants in 38 CFR 62.22, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and
(e). The applications will be ranked in order from highest to lowest
scores.
3. Applicants are required to spend no less than 60 percent of all
budgeted temporary financial assistance on homeless participants
defined in 38 CFR 62.11(a)(2) and (a)(3). Waivers to this 60 percent
requirement may be requested when grantees can demonstrate significant
local progress towards eliminating homelessness in the target service
area. Waiver requests must include data from authoritative sources such
as HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report, annual Point-In-Time Counts
and evidence of decreased demand for emergency shelter and transitional
housing. Waivers for the 60 percent requirement may also be requested
for services provided to rural Indian tribal areas and other rural
areas where shelter capacity is insufficient to meet local need.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices: Although subject to change, the SSVF Program
Office expects to announce the grant recipient in the fourth quarter of
fiscal year 2015 with the grant beginning October 1, 2015. Prior to
executing a funding agreement, VA will contact the applicant and make
known the amount of proposed funding and verify that the applicant
would still like the funding. Once VA verifies that the applicant is
still seeking funding, VA will execute an agreement and make payments
to the grant recipient in accordance with 38 CFR part 62 and other
applicable provisions of this NOFA.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: It is VA policy
to support a ``Housing First'' model in addressing and ending
homelessness. Housing First establishes housing stability as the
primary intervention in working with homeless persons. The Housing
First approach is based on research that shows that a homeless
individual or household's first and primary need is to obtain stable
housing, and that other issues that may affect the household can and
should be addressed as housing is obtained. Housing is not contingent
on compliance with services; instead, participants must comply with a
standard lease agreement and are provided with the services and
supports that are necessary to help them do so successfully. Research
supports this approach as an effective means to end homelessness.
Consistent with the Housing First model supported by VA, grantees
are expected to offer the following supportive services: Housing
counseling; assisting participants in understanding leases; securing
utilities; making moving arrangements; provide representative payee
services concerning rent and utilities when needed; and mediation and
outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining housing.
Grantees may also assist participants by providing rental assistance,
security or utility deposits, moving costs or emergency supplies, using
other Federal resources, such as the ESG, or supportive services grant
funds subject to the limitations described in this NOFA and 38 CFR
62.34.
As SSVF grants cannot be used to fund treatment for mental health
or substance use disorders, applicants must provide evidence that they
can provide access to such services to all program participants through
formal and informal agreements with community providers.
C. Reporting: VA places great emphasis on the responsibility and
accountability of grantees. As described in 38 CFR 62.63 and 62.71, VA
has procedures in place to monitor supportive services provided to
participants and outcomes associated with the supportive services
provided under the SSVF Program. Applicants should be aware of the
following:
1. Upon execution of a supportive services grant agreement with VA,
grantees will have a VA regional coordinator assigned by the SSVF
Program Office who will provide oversight and monitor supportive
services provided to participants.
2. Grantees will be required to enter data into a Homeless
Management Information System Web-based software application. This data
will consist of information on the participants served and types of
supportive services provided by grantees. Grantees must treat the data
for activities funded by the SSVF Program separate from that of
activities funded by other programs. Grantees will be required to work
with their HMIS Administrators to export client-level data for
activities funded by the SSVF Program to VA on at least a monthly
basis.
3. VA shall complete annual monitoring evaluations of each grantee.
Monitoring will also include the submittal of quarterly and annual
financial and performance reports by the grantee. The grantee will be
expected to demonstrate adherence to the grantee's proposed program
concept, as described in the grantee's application. All grantees are
subject to audits conducted by the VA Financial Services Center.
4. Grantees will be required to provide each participant with a
satisfaction survey which can be submitted by the participant directly
to VA, within 45 to 60 days of the participant's entry into the
grantee's program and again within 30 days of such participant's
pending exit from the grantee's program. In all cases there should be a
minimum of 30 days between administration of the two surveys. In cases
when a brief SSVF intervention results in the first survey being
administered 30 days after exit, only one survey shall be provided.
5. Grantees will be assessed based on their ability to meet
critical performance measures. In addition to meeting program
requirements defined by the regulations and NOFA, grantees will be
assessed on their ability to place participants into housing and the
housing retention rates of participants served. Higher placement for
homeless participants and higher housing retention rates for at-risk
participants are expected for very-low income Veteran families when
compared to extremely low-income Veteran families with incomes below 30
percent of the area median income.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kuhn, Supportive SSVF Program
Office, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester
Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; email: [email protected].
VIII. Other Information
A. VA Goals and Objectives for Funds Awarded Under this NOFA: In
accordance with 38 CFR 62.22(b)(6), VA will evaluate an applicant's
ability to meet VA goals and objectives for the SSVF Program. VA goals
and objectives include the provision of supportive services designed to
enhance the housing stability and independent living skills of very
low-income Veteran families occupying permanent housing across
geographic regions. For purposes of this NOFA, VA goals and objectives
also include the provision of supportive services designed to rapidly
re-house or prevent homelessness among people in the following target
populations who also meet all requirements for being part of a very
low-income Veteran family occupying permanent housing:
[[Page 49323]]
1. Veteran families earning less than 30 percent of area median
income as most recently published by HUD for programs under section 8
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) (http://www.huduser.org).
2. Veterans with at least one dependent family member.
3. Veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation
Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
B. Payments of Supportive Services Grant Funds: Grantees will
receive payments electronically through the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Payment Management System. Grantees will have the
ability to request payments as frequently as they choose subject to the
following limitations:
1. During the first quarter of the grantee's supportive services
annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 35 percent of the total
supportive services grant award without written approval by VA.
2. By the end of the second quarter of the grantee's supportive
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 60 percent
of the total supportive services grant award without written approval
by VA.
3. By the end of the third quarter of the grantee's supportive
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 80 percent
of the total supportive services grant award without written approval
by VA.
4. By the end of the fourth quarter of the grantee's supportive
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 100 percent
of the total supportive services grant award.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert L.
Nabors II, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved
this document on August 12, 2015, for publication.
Dated: August 13, 2015.
Michael Shores,
Chief Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office
of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-20319 Filed 8-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P