Rep. Takano Applauds the VA Awarding $3 million for Riverside County Homeless Veterans

Washington DC – Yesterday, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced it was dedicating $207 million toward the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program that will help 70,000 homeless veterans in their families. Riverside County, which has the eighth largest number of veterans in the nation, will receive $3 million.

 

The SSVF program will provide supportive services to veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The veterans will receive legal assistance, housing counseling, assistance securing utilities, coordinating moving arrangements, employment and more. Grantees will also offer temporary financial assistance with rent, moving expenses, security and utility deposits, child care, transportation, utility costs, and emergency expenses. 

 

Rep. Mark Takano applauded the prioritization of the Inland Empire saying, “With the eighth largest number of veterans in the nation and a poverty rate higher than the national average, the Inland Empire needs special attention from the VA. Far too many veterans are being left behind and we should be doing all we can to combat veteran homelessness. I thank the Department of Veterans Affairs for prioritizing Riverside County and hope that with the new funds from the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, we can help our local heroes who have sacrificed so much.”

 

In its first year of operations (FY 2012), with $60 million funding awarded in FY 2011, SSVF served more than 35,000 participants in 40 states and the District of Columbia, of whom 3,416 veterans served had never before accessed VA services. Through awards made at the end of FY 2012, in FY 2013, SSVF expanded to $100 million and 151 grantees in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In FY 2013, SSVF served over 65,000 participants. In FY 2014, SSVF expects to serve approximately 115,000 participants.