U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have announced $14,074,580 in federal funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for seven organizations in New York City and Long Island that provide services to low-income, at-risk veterans and their families.
“Even one homeless veteran is one too many,” said Schumer. “These brave men and women put life and limb on the line to protect our country and it is our responsibility to look out for them when they return from active duty.”
The grants are being provided under the VA’s Support Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program, which helps veteran families around the nation who are permanently housed or transitioning to permanent housing. The SSVF grant program provides access to crucial services to prevent homelessness for veterans and their families.
“These federal funds will give at-risk veterans access to resources and support that can help them and their families find safe places to live and avoid homelessness,” said Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “No man or woman who has served in our military should be homeless.”
According to the VA, SSVF funding helps support outreach, case management and other assistance to prevent Veteran homelessness or rapidly re-house veterans who become homeless. In 2015, SSVF served more than 157,000 participants across the country.
“This smart federal investment will provide our at-risk veterans with the resources they need to ensure they have a place to call home,” said Schumer. “We owe it to our veterans to ensure they can find affordable, safe housing and stay off the streets after protecting the many freedoms we know and cherish.”
Locally, the awardees include:
• Services for the UnderServed, serving Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County, has been awarded $3,165,691.
• Black Veterans for Social Justice, serving Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County has been awarded $1,968,614.
• The Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, serving Suffolk County, has been awarded $1,310,696.
In Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, HELP Social Service Corporation, Samaritan Daytop Village, Jericho Project and Volunteers of America-Greater New York have also been awarded some of the funding.
