Grant and Per Diem FY 2027 Per Diem Only and Service Center Final 12-12-25 signed.pdf

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Per Diem Only and

Service Center

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Table of Contents

I. Basic Information

II. Before You Begin

III. Eligibility

IV. Program Description–General

V. Program Description–GPD PDO

VI. Application Contents and Format

VII. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

VIII. Application Review Information

IX. Award Notices

X. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

XI. Other Information

XII. Appendices

Appendix A. Application Components …………………………………..….41

Appendix B. Definitions ……………………………………………………...66

Appendix C. Relevant Resources ………………………………………..…69

I. Basic Information

Federal Agency Name Announcement Type

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New Grant

Funding Opportunity Title Funding Opportunity Number

Grant and Per Diem (GPD) – Per Diem

Only (PDO) and Service Centers (SC)

Grant

VA-GPD-PD-FY2027

Assistance Listing Number

64.024, VA Homeless Providers GPD Program

Funding Details

VA anticipates that the grants will be for a period of three years starting in fiscal year

(FY) 2027 on October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2029. VA anticipates awarding approximately 350 PDO grants for a total of approximately 10,500 transitional supportive housing beds and 15 SC nationwide. Applications will be accepted either for transitional supportive housing beds or for a SC. Applications for transitional supportive housing may include one or a combination of bed models (i.e., Bridge Housing (BH), Clinical Treatment (CT), Hospital to Housing (HH), Low Demand (LD), or Service

Intensive (SI). Applications may not request both transitional supportive housing beds and a SC within the same application.

Key Dates

Applications for grants must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, February 18, 2026.

In the interest of fairness to all applicants, the date and time of this deadline is firm. VA will treat any application received after the deadline as ineligible. Applicants should submit materials early to avoid the risk of ineligibility, unanticipated delays, computer service outages, or other submission-related problems.

On time submission requires an Entity Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal

Revenue Service (IRS), a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from the System for Award

Management (SAM), and an active registration in SAM. For details, see also the Before

You Begin section.

Executive Summary

VA’s Homeless Providers GPD National Program Office anticipates awarding new grants to community-based organizations to provide supportive housing services to facilitate Veteran engagement in permanent housing. Awards are expected to be for three years starting on or around October 1, 2026. The goals and objective of this

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are described in the Program Description section.

Ending Veteran homelessness requires multifaceted approaches. This NOFO is designed to be one such approach. This NOFO responds to the mounting need in communities to end homelessness in unique and targeted ways tailored to the needs of diverse populations of Veterans and to the unique skills and resources in different communities. Funding under this NOFO is available for two different PDO service models to support Veterans experiencing homelessness with their move to permanent housing. One PDO service model available under this NOFO is transitional supportive housing, under which applicants may apply for any combination of five bed models (i.e., BH, CT, HH, LD and SI Transitional Housing). The other PDO service model available is service centers. These options are detailed later in the NOFO. Applicants must apply for either transitional supportive housing beds or a service center per application. A combination of transitional housing beds and a service center is not allowed. Grants funded from this NOFO will increase housing stability for Veterans.

Any eligible entity may apply for funding. Current GPD grantee organizations are eligible to apply; however, applicants are not required to be a current GPD grantee.

For full details, see the Eligibility section. For program information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 61 at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-61.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-61

Agency Contact Information:

Questions may be emailed to the VHA Homeless Programs Office Grants at

GPDGrants@va.gov. Ms. Chelsea Watson, Director VA Homeless Providers GPD

National Program Office, at (202) 461-0056 (this is not a toll-free telephone number).

Copies of the application materials and technical assistance resources are available on the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. You may use the QR code to access the GPD website.

GPD Website Scan Me mailto:GPDGrants@va.gov https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

II. Before You Begin

The following steps may take several weeks.

Entity Identifiers

If you believe your organization is a good candidate for this funding opportunity, get your EIN, UEI, and SAM.gov at https://sam.gov/ registration now. If your organization already is registered in SAM.gov, make sure the registration is active and up to date.

• EIN. Your organization must have an EIN from the IRS.

• UEI. Your organization must have a UEI from SAM.gov.

• SAM.gov registration. Your organization must have an active account with

SAM.gov.

• Be sure to answer Yes to the Financial Assistance Representation and

Certification item. For a sample, see the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

Prepare these requirements immediately. They may take weeks to complete. Do not wait until you are ready to submit your application to start these requirements.

Incomplete requirements may prevent you from submitting your application on time.

Applications submitted without an active UEI may be rejected at threshold, meaning the application would be considered ineligible. For information about SAM, see also the Key

Dates section, the Eligibility section, and the Submission Requirements and Deadlines section.

Registering in the Online Application System

For guidance on registering your organization in the online application system, see the

How-To: Register a New Organization reference guide. Reminders: Applications are due before 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the date stated in the Key Dates section. Keep this NOFO with you when completing the application. It includes supplementary guidance for completing the application.

https://sam.gov/

III. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

An eligible application is an application that is complete, meets all the requirements named in the NOFO and is submitted on time from an eligible entity for eligible activities.

1. Eligible entity:

a. An entity is eligible to apply if it is a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, state or local government agency or federally recognized

Indian Tribal government that meets the requirements in 38 CFR § 61.1.

b. An entity that is religious or faith-based is eligible, on the same basis as any other organization to participate.

c. Eligible entities may submit up to one application per EIN, per VA medical facility catchment area.

d. Successful applicants must maintain their status as 501(c)(3) or

501(c)(19) nonprofit organization, state or local government or recognized

Indian Tribal government and must continue to meet the requirements in

38 CFR § 61.1.

e. Eligible entities must have an active registration in SAM and must maintain their active status throughout the grant award period.

f. Eligible entities, during the 5 years preceding the date of the application, must not have done any of the following (per 38 CFR § 61.12(i)):

i. Had more than two GPD grants awarded that remain in development;

ii. Failed to establish two previously awarded GPD grants; or

iii. Had a previous GPD grant or per diem project terminated or transferred to another eligible entity for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the award.

2. Eligible activities:

a. Projects that propose to request per diem payments for either transitional supportive housing model or a SC to facilitate housing stabilization for

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless are eligible.

b. Each application for transitional supportive housing beds must propose bed model(s) and bed numbers that conform to the requirements of this

NOFO (see Requirements for PDO Configurations/Applications).

c. Each applicant must propose a three-year project period.

Applicants must not be out of compliance with any reporting requirements or other requirements under any other GPD grant (e.g., outstanding Standard Form (SF) 425

Federal Financial Report (FFR), outstanding closeout requirements). At the Office of

Management and Budget’s (OMB) instruction (2 CFR § 200.344(i)), VA will publicly report to the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System and enter or amend information in SAM.gov (Responsibility/Qualification) for any organization whose reporting is not completed within one year from the grant end date. any organization whose reporting is not complete within one year from the grant end-date. GPD may decide not to provide a grant under this NOFO to an organization who is out of compliance with other VA or GPD grants requirements. For additional information about eligibility, see the Eligible Participants section.

Entity Identifiers

Eligible applicants must have an EIN from the IRS, a UEI from SAM, and an active registration in SAM. Entities must maintain their active status in SAM throughout the application period. VA may not make a Federal award to an applicant if the applicant does not meet the EIN, UEI, and SAM requirements.

For additional information about SAM, see the Before You Begin section.

Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not allowed for this grant program.

IV. Program Description–General

Purpose

Ending and preventing homelessness among Veterans is a priority for VA. VA’s

Homeless Programs Office constitutes the Nation’s largest integrated network of homelessness, housing, prevention, and rehabilitation services for Veterans. These programs help Veterans live self-sufficiently and independently. They facilitate the delivery of supportive housing to ensure Veterans can end the cycle of homelessness.

Since 1994, the GPD program has provided Veterans experiencing homelessness with community-based transitional housing, supportive services such as case management, and more. These services assist Veterans in attaining and retaining permanent residence. VA offers several types of grants under the umbrella of the GPD program.

The grants are designed to meet Veterans at various stages as they move to housing stability. Community organizations that receive the grants offer focused support through a variety of service models. The GPD program plays a vital role in the continuum of homeless services.

Ending Veteran homelessness requires multifaceted efforts. This NOFO represents one such effort. In response to the mounting need in communities to prevent homelessness, this NOFO focuses on upstream prevention approaches to reduce housing instability.

Grants funded by this NOFO will help Veterans get and stay housed. VA is committed to supporting community-based organizations as they meet the challenge of ending homelessness among Veterans.

Funding Priorities

None.

Goals and Objective

The goals of projects under assistance listing 64.024, VA Homeless Providers GPD program, are to provide transitional housing and supportive services to Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness as they move toward and retain permanent housing. Grants awarded under this NOFO will contribute to the achievement of the goals and objective by making available approximately 10,500 beds and 15 SC nationwide and supporting permanent housing outcomes for Veterans. Program performance and project performance will be indicated by the percentage of Veterans who exit to permanent housing, the employment status of enrolled Veterans, and the rate of negative exits.

Performance Metrics and Targets

GPD measures grant award performance using key performance indicators (KPI). The

KPIs for this grant at time of Veteran discharge from the following PDO bed models are the

1. Percentage of Veterans who exit to permanent housing;

2. Percentage of employed Veterans; and

3. Percentage of negative exits.

To measure successful projects, VA establishes a target for each KPI (see table 1). VA may, at its discretion, update targets at any point before or during the award period.

Table 1: KPIs and targets for PDO (by bed model) and SC

KPI Target

PDO BH

Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 75% or greater

Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less

PDO CT

Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 65% or greater

Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less

Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge

55% or greater

PDO HH

Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 65% or greater

Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less

PDO LD

Percentage of Veteran discharged to permanent housing 60% or greater

Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less

PDO SI

Percentage of Veterans discharged to permanent housing 70% or greater

Percentage of Veterans discharged negatively 20% or less

Percentage of Veterans with employment at discharge 60% or greater

SC

Serve the population of Veterans as described in the application N/A

Provide the services as outlined in the application N/A

Meet the Service Center requirements of 38 CFR § 61.80 N/A

Demonstrate the meeting the number of visits stated in the application

Greater than or equal to target applicant states in their proposal

Guidance for the Use of Funds

Funding applied for under this NOFO may be used to operate PDO the transitional housing or SC project. Funding may not be used to operate Transition in Place, Case

Management projects, or Special Need projects. Funding applied for under this NOFO is authorized by 38 U.S.C. §§ 2011, 2012.

1. Each application must be for either PDO transitional supportive housing beds or for a SC per VA medical facility catchment area, per each applicant’s EIN.

2. Per diem may be requested to offset the cost of operating the PDO transitional housing or SC project, minus other sources of income, including programmatic and administrative costs such as:

a. Operating costs as defined in 38 CFR § 61.1.

b. Costs for minor dependents under the care of Veterans receiving services

(see also Payment section).

c. The number of beds for minor dependents must be requested and approved as part of the transitional housing application (generally not expected to exceed 20 beds).

d. For grantees operating at less than full capacity and approved to serve minor dependents, any available Veteran beds may be occupied by the minor dependents under the care of a Veteran receiving services.

e. For grantees operating at full capacity, the approved number of beds for minor dependents may be in addition to the approved number of beds for

Veterans.

f. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) participation fees and related staffing costs associated with inputting data and monthly reporting

(only if not available through other means at no cost to the grant).

g. Costs for outreach activities directly related to the grant.

h. Indirect costs, as defined in 2 CFR § 200.1 and prescribed in 2 CFR §§

200.412-415, are allowable if supported by a Federally Negotiated Indirect

Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or if the applicant is eligible for the de minimis rate of up to 15% of modified total direct costs as described in

2 CFR § 200.414. Otherwise, all requested costs must be direct costs.

i. Costs related to data and evaluation are allowed (2 CFR § 200.455(c)).

3. Funding restrictions – funding under this NOFO may not be used for capital improvements or to purchase vehicles or real property. Vehicles, however, may be leased to facilitate required transportation within the community, if needed.

Costs for necessary gas, insurance and maintenance of the vehicle are allowable.

4. The project must be used principally to furnish the level of care to Veterans for which the application is made. No more than 25% of the GPD-awarded beds for adult participants will be occupied by people not being served by the GPD grant

(38 CFR § 61.31(b)(5)).

5. Applicants who received a GPD capital grant starting in fiscal year 2022, must successfully apply to this PDO NOFO for at least the beds for which they are receiving capital grant funding. GPD capital grantees must maintain an active

PDO transitional housing grant in the same facility space that was improved by

VA capital funding at least until the expiration of the minimum period during which VA could seek recovery (38 CFR § 61.67). Failure to apply and be selected for a PDO grant may result in an immediate full or partial capital grant repayment.

6. All Federal grant funds made available for infrastructure projects must include terms and conditions of award that maximize the use of goods, products and materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States. See P.L.117-

58; 2 CFR § 200.322. GPD transitional housing grants are not infrastructure projects. Therefore, generally, infrastructure costs are not allowed, including but not limited to costs for acquisition, renovation, construction or other changes to buildings or real property. However, consistent with Federal-wide initiatives (e.g., Executive Order (EO) 14005, OMB memos M-21-26 and M-22-11 and P.L. 117-

58), if written prior approval is received from the GPD National Program Office for infrastructure costs, then GPD grantees must ensure domestic preference for those infrastructure activities (consistent with 2 CFR § 200.322 and with

P.L. 117-58). Information about Made In America policies is available:

https://www.madeinamerica.gov/.

7. Funds provided through this NOFO must not duplicate funding provided by any https://www.madeinamerica.gov/ other GPD or VA grants and must not duplicate or replace funds from any

Federal, state or local government agency or program to assist homeless persons (see requirements such as 2 CFR § 200.405 for details about allocable costs).

8. VA reserves the right to fund only those projects or portions of projects based on the percentage of use by VA and based on the actual need as determined by VA.

Those activities deemed outside the scope of this NOFO will not be funded.

9. Allowable costs are described for all Federal grants in 2 CFR § 200 subpart E -

Cost Principles. One factor affecting allowability of costs is that costs must be treated consistently with the grantee’s normal written standards.

Eligible Participants

Individuals who meet the definition of Veteran, as described in Appendix B, and experiencing homelessness who choose a supportive transitional housing environment that provides services prior to entering permanent housing are eligible for participation.

When eligibility questions arise, the VA’s Health Eligibility Center makes determinations regarding Veteran eligibility. The GPD National Program Office does not determine eligibility for individual Veterans. For details about applicant eligibility, see the Eligibility section.

Program Authority

The program authority is 38 U.S.C. §§ 2011 and 2012. VA implements this authority in

38 CFR Part 61. Funding is subject to other applicable laws and regulations, including those in 2 CFR (such as 2 CFR Parts 1, 25, 170, 175, 180, 182, 183, 184, 200, 801, and 802). Organizations that carry out a Federal award as a recipient or subrecipient of this grant program including for-profit organizations are subject to 2 CFR Part 200. This includes requirements for monitoring and examining records.

V. Program Description–GPD PDO

Services

PDO provides transitional and supportive housing and a milieu of services that facilitate individual stabilization, increased income and movement of the Veteran to permanent housing in the residence as rapidly as clinically appropriate. SC provides on-demand services and information to engage and aid Veterans experiencing homelessness so they may access housing resources and services.

PDO grantees will deliver tailored services based on the following models.

Characteristics and standards of each model vary. There are no tailored models for SC.

Please read the description and expectations of each model.

Characteristics & Standards of Each PDO Model and SC PDO BH

Target Population: This bed model is designed for Veterans experiencing homelessness who have been offered and have accepted a permanent housing intervention but are not able to immediately enter the permanent housing. For purposes of this housing model, a Veteran is considered accepted for a permanent housing intervention if, for example, the Veteran has been accepted for case management as part of the

Department of Housing and Urban Development – VA Supportive Housing (HUD-

VASH) program even if the Veteran has not yet received the HUD-VASH voucher.

Similarly, a Veteran is considered accepted for a permanent housing intervention if, for example, the Veteran has been accepted into a Supportive Services for Veteran

Families (SSVF) program, but has not yet started services. Other examples include

Veterans who purchased a home or signed a lease on an apartment but are not able to move in immediately.

Bed Model Overview: Bridge housing is intended to be a short-term stay in transitional housing for Veterans with pre-identified permanent housing destinations.

Length of Stay (LOS): LOS is individually determined based on need, but in general, is expected to average 90 days.

Characteristics & Standards: For this bed model, goals in the Individual Service Plan

(ISP) should be short-term with the focus on the move to permanent housing, rather than the completion of treatment goals. Veterans are expected to receive case management and support, which should be coordinated with HUD-VASH, SSVF or other available community-based programs. Grantees will assist Veterans with accessing services as needed or as requested by the Veteran and must offer participants a menu of available services.

Admission Criteria: Veterans must have been offered and accepted a permanent housing intervention prior to admission with documentation to be completed within the first 14 days of admission.

Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets (see also KPIs)

• Discharge to permanent housing is 75%.

• Negative exits are less than 20%.

PDO Clinical Treatment

Target Population: This bed model is designed for Veterans experiencing homelessness with a specific diagnosis related to a substance use disorder and/or a mental health diagnosis. The Veteran actively chooses to engage in clinical services.

Bed Model Overview: Clinically focused treatment is provided in conjunction with services effective in helping Veterans experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing and increase income through benefits or employment.

LOS: Program stays are to be individualized based upon the ISP for the Veteran (not driven by the project). In general, LOS is expected to average 6-12 months and not to exceed 24 months.

Characteristics & Standards: Although CT programming and services have a strong clinical focus, permanent housing and increased income are a required outcome of the program. Treatment programs must incorporate strategies to increase income and housing attainment. Individualized assessment, services and treatment plans are tailored to achieve optimal results in an efficient manner and are consistent with sound clinical practice. Staff must be licensed or credentialed to perform the substance use disorder or mental health services proposed as directed by State and local law.

Treatment services must be provided by the applicant or by a subrecipient or contractor.

(VA staff cannot be the treatment provider for this model.) Veterans are offered a variety of treatment service modalities (e.g., individual and group counseling, individual therapy, family support groups, family therapy, psychoeducation).

Admission Criteria: Veteran actively chooses to engage in clinical services.

Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets (see also KPIs)

• Discharge to permanent housing is 65%.

• Employment of individuals at discharge is 55%.

PDO Hospital to Housing

Target Population: This bed model is designed for Veterans experiencing homelessness who are identified and evaluated at inpatient care settings and emergency departments for suitability for direct transfer to a designated GPD project for transitional housing and supportive care. Referrals for Veterans served in the HH model may come from VA care teams or community-based medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment providers. Please note, only Veterans eligible for VA health care services will be eligible for ongoing VA health care services. Applicants do not have to only coordinate with VA care teams for referrals. Applicants demonstrate coordination or the ability to form referral networks with VA and community providers to identify Veterans who would otherwise be discharged into homelessness from typical inpatient treatment settings.

Bed Model Overview: Respite-type care is a medical model to address the housing and recuperative care needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness who have been hospitalized.

LOS: LOS is individually determined based on need, but in general LOS is expected to average 6-12 months and not to exceed 24 months.

Characteristics & Standards: Projects are small (typically 10 beds or less). Housing sites are expected to be near the referring facility so that ongoing clinical care— including specialty care—can be provided. Applicants must have a post-discharge care plan as a pre-requisite to placement that addresses ongoing physical, substance use disorder, mental health and social work needs. Care management plans must be in place to transition the Veteran to permanent housing upon clinical stabilization. VA

Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (if available), or other appropriate care group, will facilitate and coordinate the ongoing care needs upon transition. End-of-life care may also be provided by the applicant if the ability to coordinate with home hospice or palliative care is demonstrated.

Admission Criteria: Veteran meets the criteria as defined by the grantee when designing their HH model.

Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets

• Discharge to permanent housing is 65%.

PDO Low Demand

Target Population: LD is designed for Veterans experiencing chronic homelessness who suffer from substance use disorders, mental health diagnoses, or who struggle with maintaining sobriety. Also, Veterans with multiple treatment failures, who may not have received treatment services, or who may not have been successful in traditional housing programs are eligible. These Veterans may not have fully committed to sobriety and treatment.

Bed Model Overview: LD housing is a program design using a low-demand, harm-reduction model to better accommodate Veterans experiencing chronic homelessness and Veterans who were unsuccessful in traditional treatment settings. Programming does not require sobriety or compliance with mental health treatment as a condition of admission or continued stay. Overall, demands are kept to a minimum. However, services are made widely available and are actively promoted by program staff as needed. The goal is to establish permanent housing in the community, while providing for the safety of staff and residents.

LOS: LOS will be individually determined based on need, but in general LOS is expected to average 6-12 months and not to exceed 24 months.

Characteristics & Standards: Project is small in size (typically 20 beds or less). Services must include case management, substance use and mental health treatment. Referrals for benefits are made available as Veterans engage. Grantees must do the following:

• Provide the participant an orientation that sets the expectations of performance for the participant.

• Have 24 hours per day 7 days a week, paid, appropriately trained, on-site staffing at the same location as the location of the participants. (Using resident managers is not allowed.)

• Have a method to monitor participants’ and guests’ comings and goings.

• Have a system in place for managing the introduction of contraband.

• Be willing to retain Veterans who commit minor infractions of rules and who cannot or will not stop drinking or using legal or illegal substances.

• Be committed to keeping the Veterans housed, staying continuously engaged with each Veteran and providing services as needed.

• Have procedures to ensure safety of staff and residents.

Admission Criteria: Very minimal. Determined by the applicant.

Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets:

• Discharge to permanent housing is 60%.

PDO Service Intensive

Target Population: SI is designed for Veterans experiencing homelessness who choose a supportive transitional housing environment providing services prior to entering permanent housing.

Bed Model Overview: Provides transitional housing and a milieu of services that facilitate individual stabilization and movement to permanent housing as rapidly as clinically appropriate.

LOS: LOS is individually determined based on need, but in general LOS is expected to average 6-12 months and not to exceed 24 months.

Characteristics & Standards: Scope of services should incorporate tactics to increase the Veteran’s income through employment or benefits and obtaining permanent housing. Services provided and strategies used by the applicant will vary based on the individualized needs of the Veteran and resources available in the community. The applicants are encouraged to provide an array of comprehensive services or to connect

Veterans to resources available in the community. Applicants specify the staffing levels and range of services to be provided. See Requirements for PDO

Configurations/Applications section of this NOFO for the maximum number of Service

Intensive beds allowed per application.

Admission Criteria: Determined by the applicant.

Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets

• Discharge to permanent housing is 70%.

• Employment of individuals at discharge is 60%.

Service Centers

Target Population: SC is designed for Veterans experiencing homelessness who are seeking assistance with obtaining housing, employment, medical care or benefits.

Service Model Overview: Provides on-demand services and information to engage and aid Veterans experiencing homelessness so they may access housing resources and services.

LOS: Not applicable.

Characteristics & Standards: The scope of services should incorporate tactics to engage and aid Veterans. The services provided and strategies used by the applicant will vary based on the individual needs of the Veteran and resources available in the community. The applicant specifies the staffing levels and range of services to be provided. SCs will provide services, generally in-person, for a minimum of 40 hours per week over a minimum of five days per week, as well as provide services on an as-needed, unscheduled basis. See 38 CFR § 61.80 for additional information about SCs.

Admission Criteria: SC grantees are allowed to “admit” or provide services to Veterans enrolled in other programs, such as GPD or Health Care for Homeless Veterans

(HCHV) transitional housing programs. However, generally costs for such services are not eligible to be reimbursed under a service center grant because they would be duplicative of costs supported by the GPD and HCHV housing programs which already provide an array of services to facilitate obtaining housing, employment or benefits.

Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets:

• Serve the population of Veterans experiencing homelessness as described in the application.

• Provide the services as outlined in the application.

• Meet the requirements of 38 CFR § 61.80 regarding SCs.

• Demonstrate the SC is meeting the number of visits stated in the application.

Requirements for PDO Configurations/Applications

Applications do not have to include coverage for the entire VA medical facility catchment area in the application. The coverage area, however, must not exceed the catchment area identified in the application. Also, applicants for transitional supportive housing beds are encouraged to consider the need in their community for bed models that are more focused (i.e., BH, LD, HH, or CT) over the transitional housing model that is more general (i.e., SI). The following elements must also conform to this NOFO and be demonstrated in the application:

a. Each application for transitional supportive housing beds must include a minimum of one housing model per application and a minimum of five beds per housing model.

b. Each application for transitional supportive housing beds may include any combination of one, some, or all transitional housing models (i.e., BH, CT, HH, LD, and SI).

c. Each application for transitional supportive housing beds must include all housing model(s), site(s), and beds being proposed by the applicant for the VA medical facility catchment area within a single application.

d. Applicants may request up to 15 SI beds per application.

a. If more than 15 SI beds are needed within the same application, then at least 60% of the additional beds beyond 15 must be for a bed model(s) other than SI unless written prior approval is received from GPD National

Program Office.

b. Refer to the GPD website or the GPD provider website for the SI bed calculator at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

c. For example, an applicant applying for 50 total beds must allocate at least

21 of those beds to a housing model(s) that is not SI.

d. In this example, 50 total beds requested minus 15 SI beds equals 35 beds. 60% of 35 beds equals 21 non-SI beds, leaving no more than 14 http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp beds out of 35 beds for additional Service Intensive beds. In this example, out of 50 total beds, no more than up to 29 SI beds are allowed.

e. Choices of bed models, of facility sites and of services are at the applicant’s discretion within the guidance of the NOFO. Applicants are encouraged to tailor their proposed projects to factors such as their own ability and the particular needs of the community.

Facility Specifications (PDO Housing)

Applicants must own or lease a facility(s) appropriate for the activities required under the NOFO. For example, an applicant for a transitional supportive housing grant who owns or leases a single-family home, an apartment building, Tiny Homes or other types of housing units may propose how the selected facility(s) is appropriate for the required activities.

Facility configurations must account for the privacy, safety, security, and dignity needs of Veterans. For this reason, facilities with private or semi-private accommodations for

Veterans are preferred over those with congregate or open bay accommodations.

Facilities must be in locations that are supportive to the goals of Veterans and the project. For example, a neighborhood’s level of safety, sobriety, economic opportunity, transportation and inclusion can impact a Veteran’s success in gaining or maintaining permanent housing.

Applicants who need to acquire, construct or renovate a facility(s) for use as GPD transitional housing or who do not include a clear plan for identifying a facility(s) in a timely manner will not be considered for award under this NOFO.

All facilities must meet the inspection standards outlined at title 38 CFR § 61.80(a)-(b).

This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with:

a. Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards and the Americans with

Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.

b. Current edition of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association and all applicable State and local housing codes.

Staffing

Key Personnel

GPD designates the following role as the grant’s key personnel role: Project Director.

The applicant must identify this role, confirm the responsibilities of the Project Director, and list this individual as a key contact in the application (see the Overview section).

The Project Director is the role on the grant that VA identifies as being accountable for achieving the expected performance results of the grant-funded project. The person filling this role takes responsibility for the success and failure of the project. When performance targets are not met, or other problems arise, the person filling this role is one of the primary people with whom GPD will negotiate to improve performance or to take remedies for noncompliance (for example, 2 CFR §§ 200.208, 200.339). This role is subject to prior approval requirements, such as those in 2 CFR §§ 200.308(f)(2)-(3).

See also the Definitions section and the Performance Metrics and Targets section.

Applicants are encouraged to include, within the attachments section of their application, the position description(s) and corresponding minimum qualifications of staff identified as key personnel. This will ensure thorough description of each key role, facilitating a clearer evaluation during the application review process.

Other Personnel

Applicants may identify other personnel who will be involved in the project. Other personnel are not subject to prior approval requirements. Other personnel may be identified in the application as key contacts or as users at the applicant’s discretion and according to the guidance in the Overview section.

Within the application, applicants may establish minimum education, experience, and training requirements for positions (for example, see the Narrative section, including the part on Ability). It is the role of the Project Director to ensure the grantee achieves the required performance results. Grantees are responsible for complying with any local requirements for licensure or certification.

See also the Definitions section and the Performance Metrics and Targets section.

VI. Application Contents and Format

To apply for a grant, applicants must use the online application system by following the instructions on the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. See also the

Submission Requirements and Deadlines section of this NOFO. When an applicant completes the Acknowledgement part of the application (see the Overview section in

Appendix A) and submits the application, the applicant provides an authorized electronic signature on the SF-424 and on the application. These signatures are legal and binding.

Pre-Application Materials

See the Before You Begin section.

Application Introduction

The numbered questions in Appendix A are required application components for a GPD grant. Applicants must include all required materials in their application submission.

Submission of an incorrect, incomplete, inconsistent, unclear, or incorrectly formatted application package may result in a rejected application.

Any character count limits are suggested maximum limits. Most applicants will use less than the suggested limit. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide complete responses while also being clear and concise.

VA may make a reasonable effort to confirm or clarify information in the application. VA reserves the right to consider ineligible or not to select any application with inconsistent information or information that cannot be readily confirmed or that leads to an unclear understanding of the proposed project.

This NOFO cannot predict all potential circumstances. VA expects applicants to propose plans within the requirements and guidance of this NOFO. When a specific situation is not explicitly addressed in this NOFO, applicants must use their judgment to propose plans that meet the intent of this NOFO and may explain how their choices align with the intent. All applications will be evaluated against the requirements and guidance of this NOFO.

Application Components

See Appendix A.

Pre-Award Materials

See the Review and Selection Process section.

VII. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Address

This NOFO contains everything needed. No additional address information is necessary.

UEI and SAM

Eligible applicants must have an EIN from the IRS, a UEI from SAM, and an active registration in SAM before submitting an application. Entities must maintain their active status in SAM throughout the application period. VA may not award a grant to an applicant if the applicant has not complied with the EIN, UEI, and SAM requirements.

For more information, see 2 CFR Parts 200 and 25 as well as SAM.gov at https://sam.gov/. Certain requirements also apply to subrecipients and contractors.

If an applicant is out of compliance with the EIN, UEI, or SAM requirements at the time

VA is ready to make an award, VA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and may use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant or for making a different funding decision.

If awarded a grant, applicants must maintain compliance with EIN, UEI, and SAM requirements for the duration of the grant as a continuing condition of eligibility.

GPD grants are Federal financial assistance as defined in 2 CFR §§ 25.400 and 200.1.

Therefore, applicants must answer yes in SAM.gov saying they wish to apply for a

Federal assistance project or program under the Financial Assistance Representation and Certification section. Then, applicants must certify to the representations and certifications in SAM. For a sample, see the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

Information is also available in the Before You Begin section.

Submission Instructions

See the Before You Begin section.

Applicants must submit applications electronically following instructions on the GPD website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Applicants must not submit applications by email, mail, facsimile (fax), or any other method.

The GPD National Program Office must receive applications no later than 4:00 p.m.

Eastern Time on the application deadline date stated in the Basic Information section.

Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application package for consideration and may result in a rejected application.

No case-by-case exceptions to the deadline are allowed even in the case of illness, death, computer difficulties, staff turnover, or other reasons. In the extremely rare event that a group exception is provided, a public notice would be posted on the GPD website or a modified funding opportunity would be posted on Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/ indicating the extended application submission deadline if applicable.

In the event of errors, such as duplicate applications or multiple applications per EIN, per VA medical facility catchment area, VA reserves the right to select which application to consider based on the submission dates and times or based on other factors.

VA advises applicants to refer to this NOFO when completing the online application.

NOFO content provides supplementary guidance for completing the online application.

For technical assistance, contact GPDgrants@va.gov. GPD commits to providing technical assistance to applicants who have procedural questions prior to the application submission deadline. Response times can vary. Applicants should plan accordingly and allow at least three business days to receive responses.

Submission Dates and Times

See the Key Dates section.

https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:GPDgrants@va.gov

Intergovernmental Review and Executive Orders

EO 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. Generally, GPD grants are not subject to EO 12372.

Funded grantees are also required to comply with all applicable EOs.

VIII. Application Review Information

Threshold

Pursuant to 38 CFR § 61.30, VA may provide per diem only funds to entities that are eligible to receive a capital grant. Therefore, an applicant must meet the initial threshold review requirements of 38 CFR § 61.12(i). Not meeting these criteria may result in the application being rejected at threshold and not being considered for award. The following sections summarize the threshold requirements. Please see 38 CFR § 61.12 for additional information.

Application is Complete

VA must receive all required application components in the required manner. See the

Application Contents and Format section. If VA identifies discrepancies or concerns, including any signatures (for example, electronic or scanned signatures), VA reserves the right to request additional or revised materials (including a true ink signature). VA reserves the right to communicate with an applicant, as needed, prior to making threshold decisions.

Applicant is Eligible

The applicant organization must be an eligible entity. See the Eligibility section.

Activities are Eligible

Activities proposed in the application must be eligible, including:

• Applicants must provide transitional housing and a milieu of services that facilitate individual stabilization, increased income and movement of the Veteran to permanent housing in the residence as rapidly as clinically appropriate.

• Applicants must propose a three-year project period.

For more details, see the Program Description – General section and section.

Merit Review Criteria

Criteria for Points

Reviewers will award points based on each applicant’s responses to the scored items in the Narrative section of Appendix A. For the evaluation criteria, see 38 CFR § 61.13(b)-

(g), as summarized in table 2.

Table 2: Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Points Range

Need (38 CFR § 61.13(e)) 0-150

Outreach (38 CFR § 61.13(c)) 0-100

Project Plan (38 CFR § 61.13(b)) 0-300

Ability (38 CFR § 61.13(d)) 0-200

Coordination (38 CFR § 61.13(g)) 0-200

Completion Confidence (38 CFR § 61.13(f)) 0-50

Total (38 CFR § 61.13(a)) 0-1,000

Other Considerations

In the event of a tie score between applications, VA will determine at its discretion how to handle selection decisions (for example, selecting multiple applications for award, awarding for less than requested). VA will consider the goals and objectives of this

NOFO. VA’s discretionary funding decisions are final.

Review and Selection Process

A technical merit review panel will evaluate applications against the criteria stated in this

NOFO. Applications may earn up to 1,000 points depending on the quality of responses.

The final scores will serve as the primary basis for selecting applications for funding.

The review panel will follow 38 CFR Part 61 and 2 CFR Part 200 for review guidance.

To determine scores, VA may use information such as VA and non-VA historical program documents of past performance, including those from other Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as audits by private or public entities. When scoring applications, VA will instruct the review panel to consider:

1. How the application demonstrates plans to maximize grant utilization to facilitate permanent housing placements; and

2. Past performance (for example, performance metrics).

The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Program Officer.

Adjustments may be based on a variety of factors including the quantity and quality of applications, the needs of the community, geographic dispersion, as well as the availability of funding. If sufficient funding is available, VA may make additional selections at its discretion. Funding is not guaranteed. Depending on factors such as the quantity and quality of applications received, the availability of funding, and past performance, VA reserves the right to make additional rounds of conditional selections from this NOFO, to reduce the amount of funding or scope of the award (e.g., beds, staffing, and site locations as applicable to the type of award), or to take other actions as appropriate.

VA may require conditionally selected applicants to submit additional information.

Applicants will receive a deadline to submit such information. VA reserves the right to negotiate with applicants, at any point, including prior to award, an upward or downward adjustment to factors including but not limited to, full-time equivalent (FTE) positions per grant, services, project period dates, or dollar amounts, including adjustments that exceed the limits stated in this NOFO if needed to accomplish the overall goals and objective. VA will incorporate changes into the grant agreement.

If an applicant has not fully complied by the time VA is ready to make an award, VA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and may use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. VA may elect to negotiate an increase to another conditionally selected applicant or applicants, to award additional applications, to publish another NOFO, or to take other actions based on factors such as program priorities, availability of funds, and quality of applications.

Due to the volume of applications received and in fairness to all applicants, individual application feedback is not provided.

Risk Review

Prior to making an award, and at any time post-award, VA will review any available information, including its own records and any Office of Management and Budget-designated repository of Government-wide eligibility or financial integrity information, such as SAM.gov at https://sam.gov/. VA will comply with the requirements of 2 CFR

Parts 180 and 801. VA will conduct a business risk assessment in accordance with 2

CFR § 200.206. VA may ask applicants or grantees to submit additional information regarding their ability to manage Federal funds. The risk assessment may consider results of the applicant’s eligibility (threshold review) or the quality of its application

(merit review). If VA decides to make an award, VA may add specific conditions to the award corresponding to the degree of risk. Applicants may review and comment on any information in SAM.gov about their organization. If the applicant comments on any

SAM.gov records, VA will consider the comment as part of the risk review.

IX. Award Notices

Although subject…