[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65448-65453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26376]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran
Families Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the
availability of funds for supportive services grants under the SSVF
Program. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) contains
information concerning the Supportive Services for Veteran Families
(SSVF) Program, initial and renewal supportive services grant
application processes, and amount of funding available. The Funding
Opportunity Number is VA-SSVF-120112. The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number is 62.033.
Applications for initial and renewal supportive services grants
under the SSVF Program must be received by the SSVF Program Office by
4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1, 2013. 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.
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 phone at (877) 737-0111 (toll-free number) or via
email at SSVF@va.gov. For detailed SSVF Program information and
requirements, see 38 CFR Part 62.
Submission of Application Package: 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. To encourage the equitable distribution of supportive
services grants across geographic regions, in accordance with 38 CFR
62.23(d)(2), an eligible entity may apply for a total of $2 million per
year in funding per grant. See Section II.C. of this NOFA for maximum
allowable grant amounts.
Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical
assistance with the preparation of an initial or renewal supportive
services grant application is available on the SSVF Program Web site
at: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kuhn, Supportive Services for
Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among
Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (877)
737-0111 (this is a toll-free number); SSVF@va.gov.
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
[[Page 65449]]
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.
B. Definitions: Sections 62.2 and 62.11(a) of title 38, CFR,
contain definitions of terms used in the SSVF Program. In addition to
the definitions included in those sections, this NOFA introduces two
program areas: Emergency Housing Assistance and General Housing
Stability Assistance.
Emergency Housing Assistance means the provision of up to 30 days
of temporary housing that does not require the participant to sign a
lease or occupancy agreement. The cost cannot exceed the reasonable
community standard for such housing. Emergency housing is limited to
short-term commercial residences (private residences are not eligible
for such funding) not already funded to provide on-demand emergency
shelter (such as emergency congregate shelters). By authorizing the
limited provision of SSVF funded emergency housing, grantees will be
able to ensure that participants do not become homeless while they
transition to permanent housing or otherwise be put at risk pending
placement in permanent housing. Appropriate provision of emergency
housing is limited to those cases in which no space is available at a
community shelter that would be appropriate for placement of a family
unit and where permanent housing has been identified and secured but
the participant cannot immediately be placed in that housing. Only
families with children under the age of 18 may receive such assistance;
individuals are not eligible for SSVF funded emergency housing
placement. In the event that longer term transitional housing or
emergency housing is needed without such restrictions, VA offers
community-based alternatives including, the Grant and Per Diem Program
and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans contract residential care
program, as well as a variety of VA based residential care programs.
General Housing Stability Assistance means the provision of goods
or payment of expenses not included in other sections but which are
directly related to supporting a participant's housing stability. This
is a new category that may offer a maximum of $1,500 in assistance per
participant. Such assistance, when not available through existing
mainstream and community resources, may include: (1) Items necessary
for a participant's life or safety that are provided to the participant
by a grantee on a temporary basis in order to address the participant's
emergency situation (limited to $500 per SSVF Program under 38 CFR
62.34); (2) Expenses associated with gaining or keeping employment such
as obtaining uniforms, tools, certifications, and licenses; (3)
Expenses associated with moving into permanent housing, such as
obtaining basic kitchen utensils, bedding, and other supplies; and (4)
Expenses necessary for securing appropriate permanent housing such as
fees for applications, brokerage fees, or background checks.
C. 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. 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 to stable
housing (i) very low-income Veteran families who are homeless and
scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within 90 days,
including those leaving VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
projects 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 currently operating rapid re-housing programs (i.e., administering
the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) 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. 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
mainstream Federal and community resources (e.g., HUD-VA Supportive
Housing (VASH) program, HUD Housing Choice Voucher programs, McKinney-
Vento funded supportive housing programs, Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families, etc.) that can provide ongoing support as required.
Assistance in obtaining or retaining permanent housing is a
fundamental goal of the SSVF program. Grantees are expected to 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.
D. Authority: Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by
38 U.S.C. 2044, as recently amended by the Veterans Health Care
Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011, Public Law 112-37. 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.
E. 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 Sec. 62.70.
(2) Grantees must use a minimum of 60 percent of supportive
services grant funds to serve very low-income Veteran families who
either (i) are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent
housing within 90 days pending the location or development of housing
suitable for permanent housing, as described in Sec. 62.11(a)(2), or
(ii) have exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days to seek
other housing that is responsive to their needs and preferences, as
described in Sec. 62.11(a)(3). (Note: Grantees may request a waiver to
decrease this minimum to 40 percent, discussed in section V.B.5.i.)
(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 Sec. Sec. 62.33 and
62.34.
F. 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
[[Page 65450]]
stability as the primary intervention in working with homeless persons.
The Housing First approach is based on the concept 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 once 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.
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 ESG, or
supportive services grant funds subject to the limitations described in
this NOFA and 38 CFR 62.34.
2. VA recognizes that extremely low-income Veterans face greater
barriers to permanent housing placement. In order to support grantees'
efforts to serve this population, VA has proposed new program
regulations that will expand temporary financial assistance that may be
offered to these participants. Grantees must consider the proposed rule
when developing their response to this NOFA.
3. 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 or review by the
grantee or VA under attorney-client privilege. 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.
4. Notwithstanding any other section in this part, grantees are not
authorized to use SSVF funds to pay for the following: (i) Mortgage
costs or costs needed by homeowners to assist with any fees, taxes, or
other costs of refinancing; (ii) construction or the cost of housing
rehabilitation; (iii) credit card bills or other consumer debt; (iv)
medical or dental care and medicines; (v) mental health, substance use,
or other therapeutic interventions designed to treat Axis I or II
diagnostic conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders fourth edition text revision; and (vi) home care and
home health aides typically used to provide care in support of daily
living activities. This includes care that is focused on treatment for
an injury or illness, rehabilitation, or other assistance generally
required to assist those with handicaps or other physical limitations;
(vii) pet care; (viii) entertainment activities; (ix) direct cash
assistance to program participants; or (x) court-ordered judgments or
fines.
5. 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 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.
6. Where ESG funds or 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, family 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 grants under the SSVF Program and pertains to
proposals for initial and renewal supportive services grant programs.
B. Funding Priorities: The funding priorities for this NOFA are as
follows:
1. Funding Priority 1. Funding Priority 1 is for existing SSVF
Program grantees seeking to renew their supportive services grants. To
be eligible for renewal of a supportive services grant, the grantee's
program concept must be generally consistent with the program concept
of the grantee's current grant award. Renewal applications can request
a grant amount that is no more than 200 percent of the grantee's
current grant award (subject to the allocation limitations described in
Section E of this NOFA). Requests for funding increases must be based
both on commensurate increases in the number of participants served and
expanding access to HUD's Continuums of Care currently not served by an
SSVF program. (Note: If an existing grantee would like to substantially
modify an existing program, the grantee may submit an initial
application and apply under Funding Priority 2. Grantees cannot submit
more than one application serving the same geographic area.) An
existing grantee applying for funding for a program that is
substantially the same as their existing program, may only apply under
Funding Priority 1. Approximately $140 million of the up to $300
million available may be awarded depending on funding available under
Funding Priority 1. Should not enough applications be funded under
Funding Priority 1, funds not expended in this priority will fall to
Funding Priority 2.
2. Funding Priority 2. Funding Priority 2 is for eligible entities
applying for initial supportive services grants.
C. Allocation of Funds: If funding for Priority 1 projects is
exhausted, funding may be awarded depending on availability for initial
and renewal
[[Page 65451]]
supportive services grants, to be funded under this NOFA for a 1- to 3-
year period. The following requirements apply to supportive services
grants awarded under this NOFA:
(1) Each grant cannot exceed $2 million per year.
(2) The total number of supportive services grants awarded to a
grantee cannot exceed five grants nationwide per year.
(3) Applicants should fill out separate applications for each
supportive services funding request.
D. Supportive Services Grant Award Period: Most supportive services
grants awarded under this NOFA will be for a 1-year period. Selected
grants renewed under Funding Priority 1 may be eligible for a 2- or 3-
year award (see I.1 and N.6).
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) 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). In addition, tribally designated housing entities (as defined
in Section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4104)) are eligible.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching: This section is not applicable to the
SSVF program.
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 Supportive Services for Veteran
Families 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
SSVF@va.gov. For detailed SSVF Program information and requirements,
see 38 CFR part 62.
B. Content and Form of Application: Two completed, collated, hard
copies of the application and two compact discs (CDs) 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 initial and renewal
supportive services grants under the SSVF Program must be received by
the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1, 2013.
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. It should also be noted
that in order to encourage the equitable distribution of supportive
services grants across geographic regions, in accordance with 38 CFR
62.23(d)(2), an eligible entity may apply for a total of $2 million per
year in funding per grant.
D. Intergovernmental Review: This section is not applicable to the
SSVF Program.
E. Funding Restrictions: Approximately $300 million may be awarded
depending on funding availability for initial and renewal supportive
services grants to be funded under this NOFA for a 1- to 3-year period.
The following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded
under this NOFA:
(1) Each grant cannot exceed $2 million per year.
(2) The total number of supportive services grants awarded to a
grantee cannot exceed 5 grants nationwide per year.
(3) Applicants should fill out separate applications for each
supportive services funding request.
F. Other Submission Requirements:
(1) The funding priorities for this NOFA are as follows:
(a) Funding Priority 1. Funding Priority 1 is for existing SSVF
Program grantees seeking to renew their supportive services grants. To
be eligible for renewal of a supportive services grant, the grantee's
program concept must be generally consistent with the program concept
of the grantee's current grant award. Renewal applications can request
a grant amount that is no more than 200 percent of the grantee's
current grant award (subject to the allocation limitations described in
Section E of this NOFA). Requests for funding increases must be based
on commensurate increases in the number of participants served. (Note:
if an existing grantee would like to substantially modify an existing
program, the grantee may submit an initial application and apply under
Funding Priority 2. Grantees cannot submit more than one application
serving the same geographic area). An existing grantee applying for
funding for a program that is substantially the same as their existing
program, may only apply under Funding Priority 1. Approximately $140
million may be available under Funding Priority 1 depending on the
availability of funds. Should not enough applications be funded under
Funding Priority 1, funds not expended in this priority will fall to
Funding Priority 2.
(b) Funding Priority 2. Funding Priority 2 is for eligible entities
applying for initial supportive services grants.
(2) Additional supportive services grant application requirements
are specified in the initial and renewal application packages.
Submission of an incorrect or incomplete application package will
result in the application being rejected during threshold review. The
application packages 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. 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).
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 Notice of Fund Availability, and any additional information or
documentation requested by VA under Sec. 62.20(c) is provided within
the time frame established by VA;
[[Page 65452]]
(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 following criteria to score applicants who are
applying for a supportive services grant:
(a) VA will award up to 35 points based on the background,
qualifications, experience, and past performance, of the applicant, and
any subcontractors identified by the applicant in the supportive
services grant application.
(b) VA will award up to 25 points based on the applicant's program
concept and supportive services plan.
(c) VA will award up to 15 points based on the applicant's quality
assurance and evaluation plan.
(d) VA will award up to 15 points based on the applicant's
financial capability and plan.
(e) VA will award up to 10 points based on the applicant's area or
community linkages and relations.
3. VA will use the following process to select applicants to
receive supportive services grants:
(a) VA will score all applicants that meet the threshold
requirements set forth in Sec. 62.21 using the scoring criteria set
forth in Sec. 62.22.
4. VA will use the following criteria to score grantees applying
for renewal of a supportive services grant:
(a) VA will award up to 55 points based on the success of the
grantee's program.
(b) VA will award up to 30 points based on the cost-effectiveness
of the grantee's program.
(c) VA will award up to 15 points based on the extent to which the
grantee's program complies with Supportive Services for Veteran
Families Program goals and requirements.
5. VA will use the following process to select grantees applying
for renewal of supportive services grants:
(a) So long as the grantee continues to meet the threshold
requirements set forth in Sec. 62.21, VA will score the grantee using
the scoring criteria set forth in Sec. 62.24. Detailed information
regarding application criteria can be found in 38 CFR 62.21-62.25.
B. Review and Selection Process
VA will review all initial and renewal supportive services grant
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. Group applications within the applicable funding priorities set
forth in Section II.B. of this NOFA.
3. Rank those applications in Funding Priority 1 (renewal
supportive services grants) who score at least 80 cumulative points and
receive at least one point under each of the categories identified in
Sec. 62.24, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c). The applications will be
ranked in order from highest to lowest scores.
4. Rank those applications in Funding Priority 2 (initial
supportive services grants) who score at least 70 cumulative points and
receive at least one point under each of the categories identified in
Sec. 62.22, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e). The applications
will be ranked in order from highest to lowest scores.
5. Utilize the ranked scores of applications as the primary basis
for selection. However, in accordance with Sec. 62.23(d), VA will
utilize the following considerations to select applicants for funding.
i. Preference applications that provide or coordinate the provision
of supportive services for very low-income Veteran families
transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Consistent with
this preference, applicants are required to serve no less than 60
percent of their participants and spend no less than 60 percent of all
budgeted temporary financial assistance on homeless participants
defined in Sec. 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 Veteran's Supplemental Chapter to the Annual Homeless
Assessment Report, annual Point-In-Time Counts and evidence of
decreased demand for emergency shelter and transitional housing.
Waivers can reduce this 60 percent minimum funding requirement to a 40
percent minimum, with the balance available for participants at
imminent risk of homelessness as defined in Sec. 62.11(a)(1).
ii. To the extent practicable, ensure that supportive services
grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions, including
rural communities and tribal lands.
6. Subject to the considerations noted in paragraph B.5 above, VA
will fund the highest-ranked applications for which funding is
available, within the highest funding priority group. To the extent
funding is available and subject to the considerations noted in
paragraph B.5 above, VA will select applications in the next highest
funding priority group based on their rank within that group.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
Although subject to change, the SSVF Program Office expects to
announce grant recipients by mid-summer 2013. The initial announcement
will be made via the SSVF Web site at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
Following the initial announcement, the Program Office will email and
mail via United Postal Service (UPS), a notification letter to the
grant recipients. The notification letter is not an authorization to
begin performance, but will provide guidance as to the next steps the
recipient must follow. Applicants that are not selected to receive a
support services grant will be mailed a declination letter via UPS
within 2 weeks of the initial announcement.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
It is VA's 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 the concept 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 once 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.
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
[[Page 65453]]
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.
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 (HMIS) 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. 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.
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.
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 Veterans' families when
compared to extremely low-income Veteran families.
6. Organizations receiving awards through Funding Priority 1 and
have had ongoing SSVF program operation for at least 1 year (as
measured by the start of initial SSVF services until February 1, 2013,
may be eligible for 2- or 3-year awards. Grantees meeting outcome goals
defined by VA and in substantial compliance with their grant agreements
(defined by meeting targets and having no outstanding corrective action
plans) are eligible for 2-year renewals. Grantees meeting the
requirements for a 2-year renewal and receive 3-year accreditation from
the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities in
Employment and Community Services are eligible for a 3-year grant
renewal. If awarded a multiple year renewal, grantees may be eligible
for funding increases as defined in NOFA's that correspond to years 2
and 3 of their renewal funding.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kuhn, Supportive Services for
Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among
Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (877)
737-0111 (this is a toll-free number); SSVF@va.gov.
VIII. Other Information
A. VA's 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's goals and objectives for the SSVF Program. VA's
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's 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:
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.
4. Veteran families located in a community, as defined by HUD's
Continuums of Care, not currently served by a SSVF grantee.
5. Veteran families located in a rural area.
6. Veteran families located on Indian Tribal Property.
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
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 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 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 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.
Dated: October 9, 2012.
John R. Gingrich,
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-26376 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
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