[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 29 (Friday, February 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7103-7104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2968]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per 
Diem Program

AGENCY:  Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The Department of Veterans Affairs is announcing the 
availability of funds of operational assistance under the per diem 
component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. 
Specifically, programs or components or programs that have not 
previously applied for or received per diem in connection with a grant 
under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program are eligible. 
This Notice contains information concerning the program, application 
process, and amount of funding available.

DATES:  An original completed and collated per diem application (plus 
two completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in Mental Health 
Strategic Healthcare Group, Washington, DC, by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on 
March 29, 2000. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX). 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 
material to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by 
unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.

FOR A COPY OF THE APPLICATION PACKAGE, CONTACT:  The Grant and Per Diem 
Program at (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334. For a document relating to the 
VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, see the final rule 
codified at 38 CFR Part 17.700.

Submission of Application:  An original completed and collated per diem 
application (plus two copies) must be submitted to the following 
address: Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group (116E), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. 
Applications must be received in the Mental Health Strategic Healthcare 
Group by the application deadline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Roger Casey, VA Homeless Providers 
Grant and Per Diem Program, Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group 
(116E), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20420; (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  This Notice announces the availability of 
funds for assistance under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program for eligible programs, established after November 10, 1992, or 
expanded after November 30, 1999, that have not previously applied for 
or received per diem in connection with a grant (see 38 CFR 17.716). 
This program is authorized by Public Law 102-590, the Homeless Veterans 
Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992, as amended. Funding applied 
for under this Notice may be used for aid for service centers and 
supportive housing. Funding will be in the form of per diem payments 
issued to eligible entities for an expected period not to exceed 24 
months, subject to availability of funds. For eligibility criteria 
please refer to 38 CFR Part 17.716.

    Authority: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is 
authorized by

[[Page 7104]]

sections 3 and 4 of Public Law 102-590, the Homeless Veterans 
Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C 7721 note) and 
has been extended through fiscal year 2003 by Public Law 106-117. 
The program is implemented by the final rule codified at 38 CFR Part 
17.700. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on June 
1, 1994, and February 27, 1995, and revised February 11, 1997. The 
regulations can be found in their entirely in 38 CFR, Volume 1, Sec. 
17.700 through 17.731. Funds made available under this Notice are 
subject to the requirements of those regulations.

Allocation

    Approximately $5.0 million is available for the per diem component 
of this program. This funding is expected to be available for a maximum 
of 24 months, subject to the availability of funds. Nationally, this 
funding should create approximately 1,500 additional community-based 
beds for homeless veterans. In later years, continued payment is 
subject to availability of funds.

Application Requirements

    The specific per diem application requirements will be specified in 
the application package. The package includes all required forms and 
certifications. Conditional selections will be made based on criteria 
described in the application. Applicants who are conditionally selected 
will be notified of the additional information needed to confirm or 
clarify information provided in the application. Applicants will then 
have approximately one month to submit such information. If an 
applicant is unable to meet any conditions for per diem award within 
the specified time frame, VA reserves the right to not award funds and 
to use the funds available for other applicants. Grant recipients need 
not reapply for per diem for programs covered by the grant. Per Diem 
for these programs is requested in the grant application and paid at 
the time of grant project completion. However, if such entities desire 
per diem for programs not funded by a grant award under VA's Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, an application responding to this 
NOFA is required.

    Dated: January 31, 2000.
Togo D. West, Jr.,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 00-2968 Filed 2-8-00; 8:45 am]
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