A pair of San Diego-based organizations that provide services to veterans were awarded a combined $2.9 million in federal grants, it was announced Monday.
Veterans Village of San Diego received $1 million and Community Catalysts California received $1.9 million from the federal Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. The Community Catalysts California grant will cover services in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties.
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families program supports organizations that use outreach, case management and other assistance to prevent veteran homelessness or rapidly re- house veterans who become homeless.
"SSVF grants empower our local partners to provide short-term-focused interventions that promote housing stability among the most economically vulnerable veterans and their families," said Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald. "Whether they need rental or child care assistance, transportation vouchers or another type of support, SSVF grantees offer veterans the mix of services they need to gain housing and stay housed."
Grantees typically serve veterans with incomes below 30 percent of the area median income. The organizations must follow the housing first approach, which centers on permanently housing homeless veterans quickly, without preconditions, and providing supportive services as needed.
Around $300 million in grants were awarded to 286 nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
