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…

This federal Project Grant award of $3,199,144.00 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program, awarded on September 18, 2024, provides funding to Columbus House, Inc., a non-profit organization in Connecticut, to deliver comprehensive supportive services to very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The SSVF Program grants support a range of services including outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA and public benefits, and temporary financial assistance for housing-related expenses such as child care, emergency housing, transportation, rental assistance, and utility payments. These services are designed to help veteran families quickly access and maintain permanent housing, minimize trauma, and promote self-sufficiency through a housing-first approach. The program aims to coordinate and provide these critical supportive services to ensure very low-income veteran families can achieve 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.