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Secretary Shinseki Announces $17 Million in Homeless Grants
October 6, 2009Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that 19 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will share more than $17 million in grants to community groups to create 1,155 beds for homeless Veterans this year. "These grants will aid our efforts to eliminate homelessness among those who have served in uniform," said Secretary Shinseki. "Our partnerships with community-based organizations provide safe, transitional housing while these Veterans leverage VA's health care and other benefits to return to productive lives." A key tool in VA's drive to eliminate homelessness among Veterans, the grants helped VA reduce the number of Veterans who are homeless on a typical night last year by 15 percent to about 131,000 Veterans. In other programs, VA provides health care to 100,000 homeless Veterans, compensation and assistance in obtaining foreclosed homes and excess federal property, including clothes, footwear, blankets and other items. Full release.