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…

Housing Matters, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit organization, received a $981,548 Project Grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration under the VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program (CFDA 64.033) on September 30, 2025, for a one-year performance period through September 30, 2026. The award funds comprehensive supportive services for very low-income veteran families in California who are experiencing homelessness, transitioning to permanent housing, or at risk of housing loss.

Under this grant, Housing Matters will deliver four mandatory core services: outreach, case management, VA benefits assistance, and coordination of other public benefits. Additionally, the organization will provide temporary financial assistance paid directly to third parties on behalf of participants for housing-related expenses including rental assistance, utilities, security deposits, moving costs, child care, transportation, emergency housing assistance, and general housing stability supplies. The organization may also offer optional supplemental services such as legal assistance and financial management services. The SSVF Program operates on a housing-first model designed to help veteran families rapidly access and sustain permanent rental housing while facilitating connections to health care, employment, and other community supports to address long-term housing stability.

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 are residing in permanent housing, are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period; or after exiting permanent housing within a specified time period, are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income veteran family's needs and preferences. Grantees will use supportive services grant funds to provide supportive service. All grantees are required to provide outreach services, case management services, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits. In addition to the required services, grantees may also provide 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 part 62. Additional optional supportive services may include legal assistance and financial management services. Grantees will use supportive services grant funds to provide supportive service. All grantees are required to provide outreach services, case management services, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits. In addition to the required services, grantees may also provide 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 part 62. Additional optional supportive services may include legal assistance and financial management services.