Notice2022-23448
Funding Opportunity Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 27, 2022
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for supportive services grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the SSVF Program; the renewal and new applicant supportive services grant application processes; and the amount of funding available. Awards made for supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 1, 2023. Grant awards may be renewed for up to 3 years pending the availability of funds and grantee performance.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 207 (Thursday, October 27, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65119-65126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23448]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Funding Opportunity 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
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This Notice of
Funding Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the SSVF
Program; the renewal and new applicant supportive services grant
application processes; and the amount of funding available. Awards made
for supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October
1, 2023. Grant awards may be renewed for up to 3 years pending the
availability of funds and grantee performance.
DATES: Applications for supportive services grants under the SSVF
Program must be received by the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on February 10, 2023. 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 submissions of their materials to avoid any risk
of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer
service outages or other submission-related problems.
ADDRESSES:
Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the application can be
downloaded from the SSVF website at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf">www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf</a>. Questions
may be referred to the SSVF Program Office via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#52010104141224337c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a29292c3c3a0c1b541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
For detailed SSVF Program information and requirements, see part 62 of
Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR part 62).
Submission of Application Package: Applicants must submit
applications electronically following instructions found at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf">www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf</a>. Applications may not be mailed, hand-carried or 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. See
Section II.B. and II.C. of this NOFA for maximum allowable grant
amounts.
Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical
assistance with the preparation of a renewal supportive services grant
application is available on the SSVF Program website at www.va.gov/
HOMELESS/SSVF.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Kuhn, National Director,
Supportive Services for Veteran Families, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6e5e5e0f0f6c0d798d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e1b2b2b7a7a19780cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Opportunity Title: Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Program.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SSVF-103121.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.033, VA
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
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
and at risk of becoming homeless, (ii) are homeless and scheduled to
become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period or
(iii) after exiting permanent housing within a specified time period,
are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income
Veteran family's needs and preferences. SSVF delivers services using a
housing-first approach that emphasizes permanent housing placement as
the primary objective. Housing First is an evidence-based, cost-
effective approach to ending homelessness for the most vulnerable and
chronically homeless individuals (see <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/nchav/models/housing-first.asp">https://www.va.gov/homeless/nchav/models/housing-first.asp</a>).
SSVF prioritizes the delivery of rapid re-housing services to
homeless Veteran households. Rapid re-housing is an intervention
designed to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness,
return to housing in the community and avoid homelessness again in the
near term. The core components of a rapid re-housing program are
housing identification, move-in and rent financial assistance and rapid
re-housing case management and services. These core components
represent the minimum that a program must be provided to households to
be considered a rapid re-housing program. For more information about
SSVF's core components, including the role Housing First plays in rapid
re-housing interventions see <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts">https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts</a>.
B. Funding Priorities: The principal goal of this NOFA is to seek
entities that have the greatest capacity to end homelessness among
Veterans or sustain gains made in ending homelessness among Veterans.
Priority will be given to grantees who can demonstrate adoption of
evidence-based practices in their application (for more information
about evidence-based practices go to, <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts">https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts</a>). Under Priority 1, VA will provide funding to those
existing grantees with 3-year accreditation from the Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Employment and
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards,
a 4-year accreditation in Housing Stabilization and Community Living
Services from the Council on Accreditation's (COA) or a 3-year
accreditation in The Joint Commission's (JC) Behavioral Health Care:
Housing Support Services Standards. Priority 2 includes existing
grantees not included in Priority 1 but who have annual awards and are
seeking to renew their grants. Existing grantees are SSVF grantees that
have a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for operations through September
30, 2023. Priority 3 and Priority 4 applications will be accepted from
new applicants as described herein at Section II.B.
C. Definitions: Part 62 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations
(38 CFR part 62), contains definitions of terms used in the SSVF
Program. In addition to the definitions and requirements described in
38 CFR part 62, this NOFA provides additional resources to secure
permanent housing. These resources
[[Page 65120]]
may be provided by the SSVF grantee under 38 CFR 62.34 to assist
Veterans in remaining in or obtaining permanent housing. Grantees will
be allowed to provide up to the equivalent of 2 months' rent to
landlords under 38 CFR 62.34(g) as a resource for any lease of not less
than 1 year when necessary to assist a Veteran in remaining in or
obtaining permanent housing. An example of when such a resource could
be used is when a landlord incentive is required to facilitate leasing
of rental units to tenants with significant housing barriers. Landlords
are less likely to lease to certain groups due to the risk of non-
payment of rent or concerns about damage or disruption to their
buildings. Tenants with significant housing barriers might include
Veterans with poor credit histories and criminal justice involvement
that might otherwise disqualify them from obtaining a lease. Veterans
with histories of sex offenses are generally considered high-risk
tenants by landlords.
Veterans are sometimes reluctant to move into apartments that do
not offer any of the comforts typically associated with living
independently. The General Housing Stability Assistance, provided under
38 CFR 62.34(e), while offering some funds for bedding and basic
kitchen supplies, leaves significant needs unaddressed. Therefore,
grantees also will be allowed to provide up to $1,000 to Veteran
families for miscellaneous move-in expenses, under 38 CFR 62.34(g), to
encourage them to obtain permanent housing with a lease of not less
than 1 year. These funds are to be provided to assist Veterans through
accounts established at local merchants, such as grocery stores and
retailers, in the enrolled Veteran's name. These items could include,
but are not limited to, food, furniture, household items, electronics
(including televisions) or other items typically associated with
independent living in permanent housing. Furthermore, internet or cable
bills can now be considered as utilities as the definition for
financial assistance as utility payments under 38 CFR 62.34(b) is
expected with this NOFA to include these charges. Access to the
internet is an essential component of the modern economy, comparable to
utilities. Veterans without such access are put at a disadvantage in
finding and applying for work opportunities, purchasing needed consumer
goods at the lowest possible cost and communicating through email and
other forms of social media.
In addition to the definitions and requirements described in 38 CFR
part 62, this NOFA provides further clarification in this paragraph on
the use of Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA). EHA may be provided by
the SSVF grantee under 38 CFR 62.34(f) to offer transition in place
when a permanent housing voucher, such as is offered through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 8 program,
is available from any source, but access to the permanent housing
voucher is pending completion of the housing inspection and
administrative processes necessary for leasing. In such circumstances,
the EHA payment cannot exceed what would otherwise be paid when the
voucher is used. EHA also may be used as part of Rapid Resolution, also
known as a diversion or problem-solving service, that helps Veteran
households avoid entry into homelessness through placements with family
or friends. EHA also may be used as an outreach tool to engage and
offer housing to unsheltered homeless Veterans with significant housing
needs who refuse to access traditional emergency shelter services in
the community.
D. Approach: Respondents to this NOFA should base their proposals
and applications on the current requirements of part 62. 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. Therefore, agencies must
work through coordinated partnerships built either through formal
agreements or the informal working relationships commonly found among
successful social service providers.
Through this NOFA, grantees can pay fees related to securing a
lease of at least 1 year. In addition, as noted previously herein,
Veterans are sometimes reluctant to move into apartments that do not
offer any of the comforts typically associated with living
independently. Pursuant to this NOFA, grantees would be able to use
funds for miscellaneous expenses associated with moving into a new
home. Moreover, nationally, the median average rental unit increased in
price by 18%, far exceeding increases in wages or income for those
dependent on Veteran benefits, social security or other entitlements.
Furthermore, service-connected Veterans with high levels of disability
may have incomes that exceed the current SSVF income threshold of 50%
of the area median income. These Veterans, some of the most vulnerable
served by the VA, can be left ineligible for critically needed SSVF
services. As a result, VA is invoking the provision in 38 U.S.C.
2044(f)(6)(C) and 38 CFR 62.2, allowing VA to establish an income
ceiling higher or lower than 50% of the median income for an area if VA
determines that such variations are necessary because the area has
unusually high or low construction costs, fair market rents (as
determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437f)) or family incomes. Area median income (AMI) is one-
factor SSVF uses to establish eligibility. A higher income ceiling, as
reflected by the AMI, will allow grantees to serve Veterans who have
endured significant increases in their housing cost burden placing them
at greater risk for homelessness. For purposes of this NOFA, grantees
will be able to serve Veterans in the communities who have up to 80% of
the AMI. HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) eligibility also has an
income limit of 80% of medium income. Aligning SSVF and HUD-VASH
eligibility will allow SSVF grantees' housing navigators to assist
Veterans eligible for HUD-VASH as necessary with identifying and
obtaining permanent housing. Aligning SSVF and HUD-VASH eligibility
will also improve the coordination of care and simplify and standardize
eligibility determinations.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide letters of support
from the Continuums of Care (CoC) in the location where they plan to
deliver services, reflecting the applicant's engagement in the CoC's
efforts to coordinate services. A CoC is a community plan to organize
and deliver housing and services to meet the needs of people who are
homeless as they move to stable housing and maximize self-sufficiency.
The CoC includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return
to homelessness. CoC locations and contact information can be found at
<a href="https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts/?params=%7B%22limit%22%3A20%2C%22sort%22%3A%22%22%2C%22order%22%3A%22%22%2C%22years%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22searchTerm%22%3A%22%22%2C%22grantees%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22state%22%3A%22%22%2C%22programs%22%3A%5B3%5D%2C%22coc%22%3Atrue%7D##granteeSearch">https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts/?params=%7B%22limit%22%3A20%2C%22sort%22%3A%22%22%2C%22order%22%3A%22%22%2C%22years%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22searchTerm%22%3A%22%22%2C%22grantees%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22state%22%3A%22%22%2C%22programs%22%3A%5B3%5D%2C%22coc%22%3Atrue%7D##granteeSearch</a>.
The CoC's letter of support should note if the applicant is
providing assistance to the CoC in building local capacity to build
Coordinated Entry Systems (CES) and the value and form of that
assistance, whether support is
[[Page 65121]]
direct funding or staffing. CES requires that providers operating
within the CoC's geographic area must also work together to ensure the
CoC's coordinated entry process allows for coordinated screening,
assessment and referrals (HUD Notice: CPD-17-01). The CoC's letter of
support also must describe the applicant's participation in the CoC's
community planning efforts. Failure for a Priority 1 or Priority 2
applicant to provide a letter of support from the CoC as described will
limit the maximum award to 90% of the award made in the previous fiscal
year (FY) as described herein at II.C.7. Failure for a Priority 3
applicant to provide a letter of support from the CoC as described will
disqualify the applicant from funding consideration unless the
applicant can demonstrate that the CoC is unable to provide such a
letter for this application. In addition, any applicant proposing to
serve an Indian Tribal area is strongly encouraged to provide a letter
of support from the relevant Indian Tribal Government. Priority 4
applicants are not required to submit a CoC letter of support.
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 those not currently in
permanent housing to stable housing. SSVF emphasizes the placement of
homeless Veteran families who are described in 38 CFR 62.11(b)-(c) as
follows:
(b)(1) Is lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime
residence, meaning:
(i) That the Veteran family's primary nighttime residence is a
public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a
regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park,
abandoned bus or train station, airport or camping ground,
(ii) That the Veteran family is living in a supervised publicly or
privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living
arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing and
hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by Federal,
State or local government programs for low-income individuals) or
(iii) That the Veteran family is exiting an institution where the
Veteran family resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an
emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately
before entering that institution,
(b)(2) Are at risk to remain in the situation described herein at
paragraph (b)(1) of this section but for the grantee's assistance and
(b)(3) Scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within
90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for
permanent housing or
(c) Has met any of the conditions described herein at paragraph
(b)(1) of this section after exiting permanent housing within the
previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to the very
low-income Veteran family's needs and preferences.
Assistance in obtaining or retaining permanent housing is a
fundamental goal of the SSVF Program. Case management supporting
permanent housing should include tenant counseling, mediation with
landlords and outreach to landlords.
E. Authority: Funding available under this NOFA is authorized by 38
U.S.C. 2044. VA implements the SSVF Program through regulations in 38
CFR part 62. Funds made available under this NOFA are subject to the
requirements of these regulations.
F. Requirements for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: The
applicant'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 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA, the
following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded
under this NOFA:
1. Grantees may use a maximum of 10% of supportive services grant
funds for administrative costs identified in 38 CFR 62.70(e).
2. Grantees must enroll a minimum of 60% of Veteran households who
are literally homeless and qualify under 38 CFR 62.11(b). (Note:
Grantees may request a waiver to decrease this minimum, as discussed
herein at section V.B.3.a.)
3. Grantees are required to have available temporary financial
assistance resources that can be paid directly to a third party on
behalf of a participant and may be used for childcare, 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) and as otherwise stated in 38 CFR 62.33 and 38 CFR 62.34.
4. Grantees are able to provide up to $1,000 supplemental
assistance to every Veteran household who obtains a lease of not less
than 1 year to cover miscellaneous move-in expenses.
5. Grantees are able to pay landlords up to an amount equal to 2
months' rent for fees related to securing a lease of at least 1 year.
This incentive may be provided at lease-up or split up into multiple
payments during the course of the lease (for example one month payment
at lease-up and one month payment at six months after lease-up).
G. Guidance for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds:
Grantees are expected to demonstrate adoption of evidence-based
practices most likely to prevent and lead to reductions in
homelessness. As part of their application, the applying organization's
Executive Director must certify on behalf of the agency that they will
actively participate in community planning efforts and operate the
program in a manner consistent with core concepts found at <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts">https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts</a>. Housing is not contingent
on compliance with mandated therapies or services; instead,
participants must comply with a standard lease agreement and be
provided with the services and supports that are necessary to help them
do so successfully.
Grantees must develop plans that will ensure that Veteran
participants have the level of income and economic stability needed to
remain in permanent housing after the conclusion of the SSVF
intervention. Both employment and benefits assistance from VA and non-
VA sources represent a significantly underutilized source of income
stability for homeless Veterans. Income is not a pre-condition for
housing. Case management should include income maximization strategies
to ensure households have access to benefits, employment and financial
counseling. The complexity of program rules and the stigma some
associate with entitlement programs contribute to their lack of use.
For this reason, grantees are encouraged to consider strategies that
can lead to prompt and successful access to employment and benefits
that are essential to retaining housing. Consistent with 38 CFR 62.30-
62.34, grantees are expected to offer the following supportive
services: counseling participants about housing; assisting participants
in understanding leases; securing utilities; making moving
arrangements; providing representative payee services concerning rent
and utilities when needed; using health care navigation services to
help participants access health and mental health care; providing legal
services; and providing mediation and outreach to property owners
related to locating or retaining housing. Grantees also may assist
participants by providing rental assistance; security or utility
deposits; moving costs; emergency housing; or general housing stability
assistance; or using other Federal resources, such as
[[Page 65122]]
the HUD Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) or supportive services
grant funds subject to the limitations described in this NOFA and 38
CFR 62.34.
1. As SSVF is a short-term crisis intervention, grantees must
develop plans that will produce sufficient income or supports to
sustain Veteran participants in permanent housing after the conclusion
of the initial SSVF intervention. Grantees must ensure the availability
of employment and vocational services either through the direct
provision of these services or their availability through formal or
informal service agreements. Agreements with Homeless Veteran
Reintegration Programs (HVRP) funded by the U.S. Department of Labor
are strongly encouraged. Applicants who also administer HVRP grants in
the same area served by their SSVF grant will be given a 5-point bonus
to their Section A application score. For participants unable to work
due to disability, income must be established through available
benefits programs.
2. Per 38 CFR 62.33, grantees must assist participants in obtaining
public benefits. Grantees must screen all participants for eligibility
for a broad range of entitlements such as the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services' (HHS) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,
Social Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, the HHS Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program, the Earned Income Tax Credit and local General Assistance
programs. Grantees are expected to access the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration's Supplemental Security Income/
Social Security Disability Insurance Outreach, Access, and Recovery
(SOAR) program directly by training staff and providing the service or
subcontracting services to an organization to provide SOAR services. In
addition, where available, grantees should access information
technology tools to support case managers in their efforts to link
participants to benefits.
3. In accordance with 38 CFR 62.33(g), grantees must directly
provide, either by in-house counsel or through contract services, legal
services relevant to issues that interfere with the participants'
ability to obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services.
(Note: Information regarding legal services provided may be protected
from being released to the grantee or VA under attorney-client
privilege, although the grantee must provide sufficient information to
demonstrate the frequency and type of service delivered.) 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. Grantees (in addition to employees and members of grantees)
may represent participants before VA with respect to a claim for VA
benefits, but only if they are recognized for that purpose pursuant to
38 U.S.C. Chapter 59. Further, the individual providing such
representation must be accredited pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 59.
4. Access to mental health and addiction services is required by
SSVF; however, grantees cannot fund these services directly through the
SSVF grant. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to promote rapid
access to and engagement with mental health and addiction services for
the Veteran and family members. Grantees are required to hire staff who
will provide health care navigation services that aid participants in
accessing these health and mental health care services.
5. When serving participants who are residing in permanent housing,
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 target those most at risk of
homelessness. To qualify for SSVF services, a participant who is served
under 38 CFR 62.11(a) (homeless prevention) 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 38 CFR
62.11(a), 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. SSVF grantees are required to participate in local planning
efforts designed to end Veteran homelessness. Grantees may use grant
funds to support SSVF involvement in such community planning by sub-
contracting with CoCs, when such funding is essential, to create or
sustain the development of these data driven plans.
7. When other funds from community resources are not readily
available to assist program participants, grantees may choose to use
supportive services grants, to the extent 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
childcare; transportation; family emergency housing assistance; rental
assistance; utility-fee payment assistance; security or utility
deposits; moving costs; and general housing stability assistance as
necessary.
8. SSVF requires grantees to offer Rapid Resolution (also known as
diversion or problem solving) services. These services engage Veterans
immediately before or after they become homeless and assist them to
avoid continued homelessness. These efforts can reduce the trauma and
expense associated with extended periods of homelessness, and the
strain on the crisis response and affordable housing resources in the
community. Through Rapid Resolution, the grantee and the Veteran
explore safe, alternative housing options immediately before or quickly
after they become homeless. Rapid Resolution can identify an immediate
safe place to stay within the Veteran's network of family, friends or
other social networks. All Veterans requesting SSVF services should
have a Rapid Resolution screening and if not appropriate for Rapid
Resolution grantees should then assess the Veteran for other SSVF
services. More information about Rapid Resolution can be found at
<a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf">www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf</a>.
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 renewal of existing supportive services grant programs.
[[Page 65123]]
B. Funding: The funding priorities for this NOFA are as follows.
1. Priority 1. Under Priority 1, VA will provide funding to those
existing grantees with 3-year CARF accreditations in Employment and
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards,
4-year COA accreditations in Housing Stabilization and Community Living
Services or 3-year JC accreditations in Behavioral Health Care: Housing
Support Services Standards. Proof of accreditation must be submitted
with the application no later than the application due date. Grantees
previously awarded a 3-year grant that is not scheduled to end by
September 30, 2023, cannot apply under this NOFA but are required to
submit a letter of intent (LOI) by the NOFA deadline indicating their
intention of continuing SSVF services in FY 2024. All grantees
submitting a LOI must include a letter of support from the CoC (see
Section II.C.7.) and a proposed budget for FY 2024. Priority 1 grantees
submitting a LOI also must submit proof of continued accreditation.
Based on the results of audit findings or performance concerns, VA may
change grantees previously awarded funds as Priority 1 grantees into
Priority 2 grantees at renewal. The reprioritized grantees would then
be required to submit a renewal application for the FY 2025 grant year.
2. Priority 2. Priority 2 includes other existing grantees seeking
to renew their annual grant awards. Both Priority 1 and Priority 2
applicants must apply using the renewal application. To be eligible for
renewal of a supportive services grant, the Priority 1 and Priority 2
applicants' program must be substantially the same as the program of
the grantees' current grant award. Renewal applications can request
funding that is equal to or less than their current annualized award.
If sufficient funding is available, VA may provide an increase of up to
75% from the previous year's award. Any funding increase, if provided,
will be based on previous grant funding utilization and enrollment.
Funding increases are intended to be combined into a single award that
supports all SSVF initiatives including shallow subsidies, support for
expanded legal services, Health Care Navigators and the new initiatives
contained within this NOFA.
3. Priority 3. Under Priority 3, VA will accept applications for
new funding for any area of the country. Priority 3 applicants must
apply using the application materials designated for new applicants.
Eligible entities can submit only one application nationally under
Priority 3. Any applicant applying for funding under Priority 1 or
Priority 2 is ineligible to apply for funding under Priority 3. Funding
for any Priority 3 applicant is limited to a maximum of $4 million per
application and must not exceed an average cost of $9,000 per Veteran
household served.
4. Priority 4. VA is exploring development of a new shelter-like
level of care within its homeless services continuum called Safe Haven
Shelter Services (SHSS). SHSS provides vulnerable unsheltered homeless
Veterans with low barrier to entry safe haven shelter services, with
access to health care, case management, peer support, meal services, a
clean environment and temporary housing assistance in a designated area
on VA Medical Center (VAMC) campuses. One such program currently is
operational at the Greater Los Angeles (GLA) VAMC and is called a Care
Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (CTRS). Veterans temporarily
housed in the CTRS need assistance to secure permanent housing. SSVF
seeks to fund a grant of $3 million to exclusively support the CTRS
located at the GLA VAMC. The CTRS initiative is consistent with the
SHSS model as it offers vulnerable unsheltered homeless Veterans with
low barrier to entry services, with access to health care, case
management, peer support, meal services, a clean environment and
temporary housing assistance in a designated area on VAMC campuses.
CTRS participants are provided a private tiny shelter and access to VA
medical and behavioral health care services, three daily meals, clean
water, soap, bathrooms, showers and weekly laundry services during
their program participation. The GLA VAMC site currently has 141 tiny
shelters for Veterans, including Americans with disabilities accessible
accommodations for those with impaired mobility.
Veterans eligible for SSVF services also may be eligible for CTRS
temporary housing as CTRS admissions must be homeless and eligible for
Veterans Health Administration health care. It is expected that the
applicant awarded the grant to support CTRS will develop service plans
that lead to permanent housing consistent with the goals and objectives
of SSVF. Any eligible entity is eligible to apply as a new applicant
under Priority 4, even if also applying for funds as Priority 1,
Priority 2, or Priority 3 applicants, using the new application form.
C. Allocation of Funds: Funding will be awarded under this NOFA to
existing grantees for a 1-year (Priority 2 and Priority 3) or a 3-year
period (Priority 1) beginning October 1, 2023. The following
requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded under this
NOFA:
1. In response to this NOFA, only existing grantees can apply as
Priority 1 or Priority 2 applicants. New applicants can apply under
Priority 3. Any eligible entity can apply as a Priority 4 applicant.
Priority 4 funding can only be applied to a grant supporting the CTRS
at the GLA VAMC.
2. Priority 1 and Priority 2 renewal grant requests cannot exceed
the current award.
3. Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants may request an amount less
than their current award (this will not be considered a substantial
change to the program).
4. If a grantee failed to use all of awarded funds in FY 2021 or
had unspent funds returned to VA in FY 2022, VA may elect to limit the
renewal award to the amount of funds used in the previous fiscal year
or in the current fiscal less the money swept.
5. If, during the course of the grant year, VA determines that
grantee spending is not meeting the following minimum percentage
milestones, VA may elect to recoup projected unused funds and reprogram
such funds to provide supportive services in areas with higher need.
Should VA elect to recoup unspent funds, reductions in available grant
funds would take place the first business day following the end of the
quarter. VA may elect to recoup funds under the following
circumstances:
(a) By the end of the first quarter (December 31, 2023) of the
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds are
less than an amount equal to 15% of total supportive services grant
award. (During this same period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 35% of the total
supportive services grant award.)
(b) By the end of the second quarter (March 31, 2024) of the
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds are
less than an amount equal to 40% of total supportive services grant
award. (During this same period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 60% of the total
supportive services grant award.)
(c) By the end of the third quarter (June 30, 2024) of the
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds are
less than an amount equal to
[[Page 65124]]
65% of total supportive services grant award. (During this same period,
the grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds
may not exceed 80% of the total supportive services grant award).
6. Applicants should fill out separate applications for each
supportive services funding request.
7. Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants who fail to provide a
letter of support from at least one of the CoCs they plan to serve will
be eligible for renewal funding at a level no greater than 90% of their
previous award. Priority 3 applicants must provide a letter of support
from the CoC they are requesting funding to serve to be considered for
an award. Applicants are responsible for determining who in each
serviced CoC is authorized to provide such letters of support. Multi-
year grantees (Priority 1) that are only required to submit a LOI in
response to this NOFA must also submit a letter of support from at
least one of CoC's they plan to serve. The letter of support should
include the following information described herein at 7a and b of this
section. Applicants may seek an exception to this requirement if they
submit a letter from the CoC stating that by policy they cannot provide
a letter of support. Priority 4 applicants do not need to provide a CoC
letter of support.
To meet this requirement and allow the applicant to be eligible for
full funding, letters must include:
(a) A detailed description of the applicant's participation in the
CoC's Coordinated Entry process or planning activities and overall
community planning efforts (for example, confirmation of applicant's
active participation in planning coordinated entry; commitment to
participating in coordinated entry; hours spent on CoC-sponsored
committee or workgroup assignments; and names of said committees or
workgroups).
(b) The applicant's contribution to the CoC's coordinated entry
process capacity building efforts, detailing the specific nature of
this contribution (for example, the hours of staff time and/or the
amount of funding provided), if such SSVF capacity has been requested
by the CoC or otherwise has shown to be of value to the CoC.
8. Should additional funding become available over the course of
the grant term from funds recouped under the Award Information section
of this Notice, from funds that are voluntarily returned by grantees,
from funds that become available due to a grant termination or from
other funds still available for grant awards, VA may elect to offer
these funds to grantees in areas where demand has exceeded available
SSVF resources. Additional funds will be provided first to the highest
scoring grantee in the selected area who is in compliance with their
grant agreement and has the capacity to use the additional funds.
D. Supportive Services Grant Award Period: Priority 2, Priority 3
and Priority 4 grants are made for a 1-year period, although some
grantees may be eligible to apply as Priority 1 and could be selected
for a 3-year award, if they meet the criteria described herein at
section VI.C.6. All grants are eligible to be renewed subject to the
availability of funding.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants: For Priority 1 and Priority 2, only
eligible entities who are existing grantees with grants scheduled to
end by September 30, 2023, can apply in response to this NOFA. For
Priority 3, eligible entities may apply for up to one new award
nationally. Priority 3 applicants also cannot apply for awards under
Priority 1 or Priority 2. The maximum request under Priority 3 is $4
million and applicants cannot propose a budget that exceeds a cost of
$9,000 per Veteran household served. Priority 4 applicants can request
up to $3 million to serve the CTRS at the GLA VAMC.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Obtaining an Application Package: Applications are located at
<a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf">www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf</a>. Any questions regarding this process may be
referred to the SSVF Program Office via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d28181849492a4b3fcb5bda4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63303035252315024d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>. For
detailed SSVF Program information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 62.
B. Content and Form of Application: Applicants must submit
applications electronically following instructions found at <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf">www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf</a>.
C. Submission Dates and Times: Applications for supportive services
grants under the SSVF Program must be received by the SSVF Program
Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 10, 2023. Awards made for
supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 1,
2023. 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. In
addition, 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.
D. Funding Restrictions: Funding will be awarded for existing
supportive services grants under this NOFA depending on funding
availability. Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants should fill out
separate applications for each supportive services funding request.
Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants must use applications designated
for renewal applicants. Priority 3 and Priority 4 applicants must
submit an application designated for new applicants. Funding will be
awarded under this NOFA to existing grantees and new applicants
beginning October 1, 2023.
1. Funding used for staff education and training cannot exceed 1%
of the overall program grant award. This limitation does not include
the cost to attend VA mandated training. All training costs must be
directly related to the provision of services to homeless Veterans and
their families.
2. Expenses related to maintaining accreditation are allowable.
Grantees are allowed to include expenses for seeking initial
accreditation only once in a 5-year period. The expenses to renew full
accreditation are allowed and are based on the schedule of the
accrediting agency: for example, every 3 years for CARF and every 4
years for COA. Expenses related to the renewal of less than full
accreditation are not allowed.
E. Other Submission Requirements:
1. Existing applicants applying for Priority 1 or Priority 2 grants
may apply only as renewal applicants using the application designed for
renewal grants.
2. New applicants applying for Priority 3 or Priority 4 grants may
apply only as new applicants using the application designed for new
grants.
3. At the discretion of VA, multiple grant proposals submitted by
the same lead agency may be combined into a single grant award if the
proposals provide services to contiguous areas.
4. Additional supportive services grant application requirements
are specified in the application package. Submission of an incorrect or
incomplete application package will result in the application being
rejected during threshold review. The application packages must 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
[[Page 65125]]
information needed to confirm or clarify information provided in the
application and the deadline by which to submit such information.
Applicants must submit applications electronically. Applications may
not be mailed, hand carried or faxed.
V. Application Review Information
A. Criteria:
1. VA will only score applicants that meet the threshold
requirements described in 38 CFR 62.21.
2. VA will use the criteria described in 38 CFR 62.24 to score
grantees applying for renewal (Priority 1 and Priority 2) of a
supportive services grant.
3. VA will use the criteria described in 38 CFR 62.22 to score
grantees applying for a new supportive services grant (Priority 3 and
Priority 4).
B. Review and Selection Process: VA will review all supportive
services renewal 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. Rank those applications that score at least 75 cumulative points
and receive at least 1 point under each of the categories identified
for renewal applicants in 38 CFR 62.24. The applications will be ranked
in order from highest to lowest scores in accordance with 38 CFR 62.25
for renewal applicants.
3. VA will use the ranked scores of applications as the primary
basis for selection. However, VA also will use the following
considerations in 38 CFR 62.23(d) to select applicants for funding:
(a) Give preference to 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 enroll no less than 60% of
participants who are homeless as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b) and (c).
Rural areas and tribal areas are exempt from this requirement in areas
defined as rural (https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/rhed/
#:~:text=HUD%20defines%20rural%20in%20three,in%20a%20Metropolitan%20Stat
istical%20Area). Other areas may seek waivers to this 60% requirement
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 point-in-time
counts and by-name-lists indicating that a community has made
substantial enough progress on reducing homelessness that it can shift
additional resources to prevention. Waiver requests must include an
endorsement by the impacted CoC explicitly stating that a shift in
resources from rapid re-housing to prevention will not result in an
increase in homelessness. Grantees who are exempt or receive waivers to
this 60% requirement must still enroll no less than 40% of all
participants who are homeless as defined in 38 CFR 62.11 (b) and (c).
(b) To the extent practicable, ensure that supportive services
grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions, including
rural communities and tribal lands. This equitable distribution
criteria will be used to ensure that SSVF resources are provided to
those communities with the highest need as identified by VA's
assessment of expected demand and available resources to meet that
demand.
4. Subject to the considerations noted previously herein at
paragraph B.3, VA will fund the highest-ranked applicants for which
funding is available.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices: Although subject to change, the SSVF Program
Office expects to announce grant recipients for all applicants in the
fourth quarter of FY 2023 with grants beginning October 1, 2023. Prior
to executing a funding agreement, VA will contact the applicants, make
known the amount of proposed funding and verify that the applicant is
still seeking the funding. Once VA verifies that the applicant is still
seeking funding, VA will execute an agreement and make payments to the
grant recipient in accordance with 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: As SSVF grants
cannot be used to fund treatment for mental health or substance use
disorders, applicants must provide evidence that they can provide
access to such services to all program participants through formal and
informal agreements with community providers.
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. The completeness and quality of grantee uploads into HMIS will
be factored into the evaluation of their grant performance.
3. VA will complete annual monitoring evaluations of each grantee.
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 as
described in the grantee's application. All grantees are subject to
audits conducted by VA or its representative.
4. Grantees will be assessed based on their ability to meet
critical performance measures. In addition to meeting program
requirements defined by the regulations and applicable NOFA(s),
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 Veteran
families when compared to extremely low-income Veteran families with
incomes below 30% of the area median income.
5. Grantees' performance will be assessed based on their consumer
satisfaction scores. These scores include the participation rates and
satisfaction results of the standardized survey offered to all
participant households.
6. Organizations receiving renewal awards that have had ongoing
SSVF program operation for at least 1 year (as measured from the start
of initial SSVF services until February 10, 2023) may be eligible for a
3-year award. 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) and who, in
addition, receive 3-year accreditation from CARF in Employment and
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards,
a 4-
[[Page 65126]]
year accreditation from COA in Supported Community Living Services, or
a 3-year accreditation in The Joint Commission's Behavioral Health
Care: Housing Support Services Standards are eligible for a 3-year
grant renewal subject to funding availability. (Note: Multi-year awards
are contingent on funding availability.) If awarded a multiple year
renewal, grantees may be eligible for funding increases as defined in
NOFAs that correspond to years two and three of their renewal funding.
At its discretion, VA may reduce 3-year awards to 1-year awards based
on performance concerns or audit results.
VII. Other Information
A. VA Goals and Objectives for Funds Awarded Under this NOFA: In
accordance with 38 CFR 62.24(c), VA will evaluate an applicant's
compliance with VA goals and requirements for the SSVF Program. VA
goals and requirements 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 and program administration in accordance with all
applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. For purposes of this
NOFA, VA goals and requirements 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% of area median income as
most recently published by HUD for programs under section 8 of the U.S.
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) (<a href="http://www.huduser.org">http://www.huduser.org</a>).
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
CoC, or a county not currently served by a SSVF grantee.
5. Veteran families located in a community, as defined by HUD's
CoC, where the current level of SSVF services is not sufficient to meet
demand of Category 2 and 3 (currently homeless) Veteran families.
6. Veteran families located in a rural area.
7. Veteran families located on Indian Tribal Property.
B. Payments of Supportive Services Grant Funds: Grantees will
receive payments electronically through the HHS 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
annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 35% 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 annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 60% 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 annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 80% 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 annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 100% of the
total supportive services grant award.
Signing Authority
Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on October 21, 2022, and authorized the undersigned to sign
and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for
publication electronically as an official document of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-23448 Filed 10-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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