[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 211 (Thursday, November 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50979-50985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23906]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Availability: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA), VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) 
Program.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: VA is announcing the availability of per diem funds to 
eligible entities to provide transitional housing beds under VA's 
Homeless Providers GPD Program models. VA expects to fund 1,500 beds 
with this NOFA for applicants who will use one or a combination of the 
following housing models: Bridge Housing, Low Demand, Hospital-to-
Housing, Clinical Treatment, and Service-Intensive Transitional Housing 
and Service Centers.

DATES: An original signed and dated application for assistance (plus 
two completed collated copies) for VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program 
and associated documents must be received by the GPD Program Office by 
4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time February 28, 2018 (see application 
requirements below).

ADDRESSES: Grant applications must be submitted to the following 
address: VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Office, 10770 N. 46th 
Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 
N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) 1- (877) 332-
0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Opportunity Description

    This NOFA announces the availability of per diem funding to 
501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations, State and Local 
governments, and Indian Tribal governments to provide a minimum of five 
transitional housing beds. No more than 40 beds per model, per medical 
center, per each applicant's Employer Identification Number (EIN) will 
be allowed under this NOFA. Applicants must apply for funding using one 
or more of these models, and a separate application is required for 
each model. Applicants agree to meet the applicable requirements of 38 
CFR part 61. In addition, all applications for these housing models 
need to demonstrate low barriers to accessing service as well as 
policies and procedures to work with Veterans who relapse.

Housing Models Descriptions

Bridge Housing

    Targeted Population--Homeless Veterans who have been offered and 
have accepted a permanent housing intervention (e.g., Supportive 
Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), Department of Housing and Urban 
Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), Housing Coalition/
Continuum of Care (CoC)), but are not able to immediately enter the 
permanent housing. Other permanent housing may also be identified 
(e.g., purchase of a home, or an apartment lease). Applicants should 
review the availability of the community's permanent housing prior to 
applying under this model so as to avoid not being able to move 
Veterans to permanent housing as quickly as possible.
    Model Overview--Bridge housing is intended to be a short-term stay 
in transitional housing for Veterans with pre-identified permanent 
housing destinations.
    Characteristics & Standards--Goals in the Individual Service Plan 
should be short-term with the focus on the move to permanent housing, 
rather than the completion of treatment goals. Veterans are expected to 
receive case management and support, which should be coordinated with 
the HUD-VASH, SSVF, or other available community-based programs. 
Grantees will assist Veterans with accessing services as needed/
requested by the Veteran and must make available to participants a menu 
of available services.
    Length of Stay (LOS) will be individually determined based on need, 
but in general, is not expected to exceed 90 days.
    Admission Criteria--Veterans must have been offered and accepted a 
permanent housing intervention prior to admission or within the first 
14 days of admission.
    Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets--Discharge to 
permanent housing is 70 percent. Negative Exits target is less than 23 
percent. Negative exits are defined as those exits from a GPD program 
for a violation of program rules, failure to comply with program 
requirements, or leaving the program without consulting staff.

Low Demand

    Targeted Population--Chronically homeless Veterans who suffer from 
mental-health or substance-use problems, or who struggle with 
maintaining sobriety; and Veterans with multiple treatment failures who 
may have never received treatment services, or may have been 
unsuccessful in traditional housing programs. These Veterans may have 
not yet fully committed to sobriety and treatment.
    Model Overview--Low-Demand housing uses a low-demand/harm-reduction 
model to better accommodate chronically homeless Veterans, and Veterans 
who were unsuccessful in traditional treatment settings. Programming 
does not require sobriety or compliance with mental health treatment as 
a condition of admission or continued stay. Overall, demands are kept 
to a minimum; however, services are available as needed. The goal is to 
establish permanent housing in the community, while providing for the 
safety of staff and residents.
    Characteristics & Standards--Project is small in size (typically 20 
beds or less); Services must include case management, substance-use, 
and mental-health treatment; and referrals for benefits are made 
available as Veterans engage;
    Must provide the participant an orientation that sets the 
expectations of performance for the participant; Must have 24/7, on-
site staffing at the same location as the location of the program 
participant. (Use of resident managers is not allowed);
    Must have a method to monitor participant and guests' comings and 
goings;
    Must have a system in place for the management of the introduction 
of contraband;
    Must be willing to retain Veterans who commit minor infractions of 
rules and who cannot and/or will not stop drinking and/or using legal 
or illegal substances;
    Must be committed to keeping the Veterans housed, staying 
continuously engaged with each Veteran and provide services as needed;
    Must have procedures to ensure safety of staff and residents, and 
the grantee agency must participate in bi-monthly calls and an annual 
fidelity assessment process as established by VA.
    Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets--Discharge to 
permanent housing is 50 percent and

[[Page 50980]]

negative exit target is less than 23 percent. Negative exits are 
defined as those exits from a GPD program for a violation of program 
rules, failure to comply with program requirements, or leaving the 
program without consulting staff.

Hospital-to-Housing

    Targeted Population--Homeless Veterans identified and evaluated in 
emergency departments and inpatient care settings for suitability for 
direct transfer to a designated GPD Program for transitional housing 
and supportive care.
    Model Overview--Respite care is a medical model to address the 
housing and recuperative care needs of homeless Veterans who have been 
hospitalized.
    Characteristics & Standards--Housing sites are expected to be in 
close proximity to the referring medical center so that ongoing 
clinical care, including specialty care, can continue to be provided;
    Have a post-discharge care plan as pre-requisite to program 
placement that addresses ongoing physical, mental health, substance use 
disorder, and social work needs as well as care management plans to 
transition the Veteran to permanent housing upon clinical 
stabilization;
    The VA Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACT), or other 
appropriate care unit, will facilitate and coordinate the ongoing care 
needs upon transition;
    A Memorandum of Understanding must be in place with the local 
medical center that details participation in the Hospital-to-Home (H2H) 
program. Included in this should be a detailing of acceptance criteria 
for Veterans being referred from local facility emergency departments 
and inpatient wards, a detailing of how follow-up care with the medical 
center is organized, and a commitment to engaging enrolled Veterans in 
permanent housing as part of program objectives.
    Admission Criteria--Individual must be functional, be able to 
perform independent Activities of Daily Living (ADL), not require acute 
detox, have no apparent psychosis, and have a post discharge plan 
coordinating care with the medical center (e.g., H-PACT Team, Mental 
Health, Substance Abuse, etc.).
    Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets--Discharge to 
permanent housing is 65 percent and negative exit target is less than 
23 percent. Negative exits are defined as those exits from a GPD 
program for a violation of program rules, failure to comply with 
program requirements, or leaving the program without consulting staff.

Clinical Treatment

    Targeted Population--Homeless Veterans with a specific diagnosis 
related to a substance-use disorder and/or mental-health diagnosis; 
Veteran actively chooses to engage in clinical services.
    Model Overview--Clinically focused treatment provided in 
conjunction with services effective in helping homeless Veterans secure 
permanent housing and increase income through benefits and/or 
employment.
    Characteristics & Standards--Although the programming and services 
have a strong clinical focus, permanent housing and increased income 
are a required outcome of the program. Treatment programs must 
incorporate strategies to increase income and housing attainment 
services;
    Individualized assessment, services, and treatment plan which are 
tailored to achieve optimal results in a time efficient manner and are 
consistent with sound clinical practice;
    Program stays are to be individualized based upon the individual 
service plan for the Veteran (not program driven);
    Staff are to be licensed and/or credentialed to perform the 
substance-use disorder (SUD)/mental health (MH) services provided as 
directed by State and Local law, treatment services must be provided by 
the applicant or through contract arrangement (VA staff cannot not be 
the treatment provider for this model); and
    Veterans are offered a variety of treatment service modalities 
(e.g., individual and group counseling/therapy, family support groups/
family therapy, and psychoeducation).
    Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets--Discharge to 
permanent housing is 65 percent; employment of individuals at discharge 
is 50 percent; and negative exit target is less than 23 percent. 
Negative exits are defined as those exits from a GPD program for a 
violation of program rules, failure to comply with program 
requirements, or leaving the program without consulting staff.

Service-Intensive Transitional Housing

    Targeted Population--Homeless Veterans who choose a supportive 
transitional housing environment providing services prior to entering 
permanent housing.
    Model Overview--Provides transitional housing and a milieu of 
services that facilitate individual stabilization and movement to 
permanent housing as rapidly as clinically appropriate.
    Characteristics & Standards--Scope of services should incorporate 
tactics to increase the Veteran's income through employment and/or 
benefits and obtaining permanent housing. Services provided and 
strategies used by the applicant will vary based on the individualized 
needs of the Veteran and resources available in the community. 
Applicant specifies the staffing levels and range of services to be 
provided.
    Required Minimum Performance Metrics/Targets--Discharge to 
permanent housing is 65 percent; employment of individuals at discharge 
is 50 percent; and negative exit target is less than 23 percent.

Service Centers

    Targeted Population--Homeless Veterans who are seeking assistance 
with obtaining housing, employment, medical care, or benefits.
    Model Overview--Provides services and information to engage and aid 
homeless Veterans obtain housing and services.
    Characteristics & Standards--Scope of services should incorporate 
tactics to engage and aid the Veteran. Services provided and strategies 
used by the applicant will vary based on the individualized needs of 
the Veteran and resources available in the community. Applicant 
specifies the staffing levels and range of services to be provided.
    Eligibility Information: To be eligible, an applicant must be a 
501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) non-profit agency, State or local government 
agency or recognized Indian Tribal Government (38 U.S.C. 2011, 2012).
    Transition in Place (TIP) grantees do not need to respond to this 
NOFA as their awards have established time limits and will be addressed 
under separate NOFAs.

    Authority:  Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by 
38 U.S.C. 2011, 2012.

Award Information

Overview
    This NOFA announces the availability of per diem funding to 
eligible entities; 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations, 
State and Local governments, and Indian Tribal governments. A minimum 
of five transitional housing beds and no more than 40 beds per model, 
per medical center, per each applicant's Employer Identification Number 
(EIN) will be allowed under this NOFA.
    VA expects to fund approximately 1,500 beds with this NOFA. (See 
additional budget information in this

[[Page 50981]]

NOFA for calculation of bed days of care). Applicants applying for more 
than one model at the same VAMC should take into account that VA will 
only award up to two applications per medical center, per applicant 
EIN.
    Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
    Funding Period: Funding awarded under this NOFA will be for a 
period of 1 year with a 1-year option for renewal, beginning on October 
1, 2018, and ending on September 30, 2019.
    Payment: Per diem will be paid in a method that is in accordance 
with VA and other Federal fiscal requirements. The per diem payment 
calculation may be found at 38 CFR 61.33. Awardees will be subject to 
requirements of this NOFA, GPD regulations, 2 CFR 200, and other 
Federal grant requirements. A full copy of the regulations governing 
the GPD Program is available at the GPD Web site at: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp
    Funding Priorities: VA has established the following funding 
priorities based on a gap analysis of existing and anticipated VA 
transitional housing needs within Continuums of Care (COC) nationwide. 
Applicants must identify and link their application to a specific COC. 
VA will then place that application into the correct funding priority. 
Applicants who fail to identify a COC will be placed in the last 
funding priority.
    Funding Priority 1. VA expects to fund approximately 300 beds in 
the first funding priority. VA will place in the first funding priority 
those applications that identify the location of services to be 
provided are in the following COCs: AK-500 Anchorage; AK-501 Alaska 
Balance of State; CA-501 San Francisco; CA-502 Oakland/Alameda; CA-503 
Sacramento; CA-600 Los Angeles; WA-500 Seattle/King. Applications will 
then be ranked within the funding priority. The highest ranking 
applications in funding priority one will be selected for funding first 
until approximately 300 beds have been selected. Those applications not 
selected will fall to the third funding priority.
    Funding Priority 2. VA expects to fund approximately 200 beds in 
the second funding priority. VA will place in the second funding 
priority those applications that identify the location of services to 
be provided are in the following COCs: AZ-502 Phoenix/Mesa/Maricopa; 
CA-606 Long Beach; HI-501 Honolulu; LA-503 New Orleans; MD-505 
Baltimore; OR-501 Portland-Gresham-Multnomah; and TX-600 Dallas City 
and County/Irving. Applications will then be ranked within the funding 
priority. The highest ranking, applications in funding priority two 
will be selected for funding until approximately 200 beds have been 
selected. Those applications not selected will fall to the third 
funding priority.
    Funding Priority 3. VA expects to fund approximately 1,000 beds in 
the third funding priority. VA will place in the third funding priority 
those applications not selected in funding priorities one and two as 
well as those applications that identify the location of services to be 
provided are in any of the United States COCs. Applications will then 
be ranked within the funding priority. The highest ranking, 
applications in funding priority three will be selected for funding 
until approximately 1,000 beds have been selected or funding is 
expended whichever comes first.

Application Review Information

    A. Criteria for Grants: Rating criteria may be found at 38 CFR 
61.13 & 61.32.
    B. Review and Selection Process: Review and selection process may 
be found at 38 CFR 61.13, 61.32.
    Allocation of Funds: Funding will be awarded under this NOFA 
depending on funding availability and subject to program authorization. 
Funding will be for a period beginning on October 1, 2018, and ending 
on September 30, 2019, with a 1-year option for renewal based on 
funding availability, the recipient meeting performance goals, and the 
results of a VA inspection.
    Funding Actions: Conditionally selected applicants will be asked to 
submit additional information under 38 CFR 61.32(c). Applicants will 
then be notified of the deadline to submit such information. If an 
applicant is unable to meet any conditions for the grant award within 
the specified time frame VA may non-select the applicant and use the 
funding for another applicant. Should an applicant submitting multiple 
applications not have all its applications funded, VA may negotiate bed 
numbers with the applicant at this time for those applications that 
were conditionally selected and incorporate that number into the grant 
agreement. Upon signature of the grant agreement by the Secretary or 
designated representative, final selection will be completed and the 
grant funds will be obligated for the funding period.
    Grant Award Period: Applicants that are finally selected may expect 
the award to begin approximately on October 1, 2018, and end on 
September 30, 2019, with one option to renew for another year. VA will 
make an initial award for the first year of operation. The application 
is submitted with a one-year budget. Continuation funding is not 
guaranteed. Factors to be considered in awarding continuation grants 
will include satisfactory performance, demonstrated capacity to manage 
the grant, compliance with grant requirements, agency priorities, and 
the availability of appropriated funds. VA reserves the right to adjust 
the amount of a grant or elect not to continue funding for subsequent 
years.
    Funding Restrictions: No part of an award under this NOFA may be 
used to facilitate capital improvements or to purchase vans or real 
property. Questions regarding acceptability should be directed to VA's 
National GPD Program Office at the number listed in contact 
information. Applicants may not receive funding to replace funds 
provided by any Federal, state, or local Government agency or program 
to assist homeless persons.
    Flexibility of Beds: For those applicants that are successfully 
funded for multiple models under this NOFA, VA will allow, without a 
change of scope, a flex of beds between the applicant's models at the 
same VAMC. This flex will be up to five (5) beds or 15 percent of the 
total awarded bed limit per medical center, whichever is greater. 
Successful applicants who seek a greater number of flex beds than what 
is allowed must receive prior written approval from the National GPD 
Program Office.
    Cost Sharing or Matching: None.

Application and Submission Information

    Address to Obtain Grant Application: Download the standard forms 
directly from VA's Grant and Per Diem Program Web page at: http://www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.asp. The additional documents that must also be 
included with the application are listed below in the Content and Form 
of Application section of this NOFA. Questions should be referred to 
the GPD Program Office at (toll-free) 1 (877) 332-0334.
    Content and Form of Application: The Department is seeking to 
refocus programs and resources to better serve the homeless Veteran 
population. Therefore, applicants should note that a separate 
application for each housing model will be required. Each will be 
scored separately.
    Applicants should review their relationships with VAMCs and group 
their projects by medical center, selecting those models that are best 
suited. If your agency is unclear on what application, or the number of 
applications, to submit, contact the GPD National Program Office for 
clarification prior to submission of any application

[[Page 50982]]

to ensure it is submitting the correct format.
    Applicants should use a normal business format, single-spaced 
lines, typed, single sided pages, in Arial 12 font. Applicants should 
write out the question first followed by the respective response. The 
narrative outline should be labeled with the same titles and in the 
same order as this NOFA. Applicants should simply binder clip the 
application; do not staple, spiral bind, or fasten the application. Do 
not include brochures or other information not requested. The 
application consists of two parts. The first part will consist of 
Standard Forms and the second part will be provided by applicants and 
consist of supporting documentation, project narratives, and tables/
spreadsheets in a standard business format.
    Applicants should ensure that they include all required documents 
in their application, carefully follow the format, and provide the 
information requested and described below. Submission of an incorrect, 
incomplete, or incorrectly formatted application package will result in 
the application being rejected before being ranked.

Application Documentation Required

    1. Standard Forms (approximately 9 pages):
    (a) SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance.
    (b) SF 424 A Non-Construction Budget.
    (c) SF 424 B Non-Construction Assurances.
    2. Eligibility to Receive VA Assistance: (approximately 3 pages).
    Nonprofit Organizations must provide documentation of accounting 
system certification and evidence of private nonprofit status. This 
must be accomplished by:
    (a) Providing certification on letterhead stationery from a 
Certified Public Accountant or Public Accountant that the organization 
has a functioning accounting system that is operated in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles, or that the organization has 
designated a qualified entity to maintain a functioning accounting 
system. If such an entity is used, their name and address must be 
included in the certification letter; and
    (b) Providing evidence of their status as a nonprofit organization 
by submitting a copy of their IRS ruling providing tax-exempt status 
under the IRS Code of 1986, as amended.
    3. Documentation of being actively registered in the System for 
Award Management (SAM) (approximately 1 page): Provide a printed copy 
of your agency's active registration in SAM to include the Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS), the number which corresponds to the 
information provided on the Application for Federal Assistance (SF424) 
and current Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. Additionally, 
provide the complete legal business address that corresponds to the 
address registered with SAM, including the USPS five-digit zip code 
plus the four-digit extension code.
    4. State/Local Government.
    Applicants who are state or local governments must provide a copy 
of any comments or recommendations by approved state and (area wide) 
clearinghouses pursuant to Executive Order 12372.
    5. Project Summary (approximately 3 pages): Provide the following:
    (a) The name of the closest VA Medical Center;
    (b) Name and number of the Continuum of Care (COC) of where the 
project application will be located ____.

    (c) Description of the number of beds your agency is requesting per 
diem and the housing model to be provided at the VA facility identified 
in question 5(a):
    Number of Beds: ____

    Housing Model: (i.e., Bridge Housing, Low Demand, Hospital to Home, 
Clinical Treatment, Service-Intensive Transitional Housing.)

    or

    Number of Service Center Visits (annually): ____

    (d) Whether your agency is submitting additional applications to 
provide other housing models or a service center at the facility 
referenced in question 5(a). (yes/no)
    If yes, identify the model and the number of beds to be provided 
under that model;
    (e) Location of housing and services provided under this 
application:

Address:---------------------------------------------------------------

City:------------------------------------------------------------------

State:-----------------------------------------------------------------

Zip Code + 4 digit extension:------------------------------------------

County the site is located in:-----------------------------------------

Additional Counties served by the project:-----------------------------

Congressional District:------------------------------------------------

    (f) Under this application and model, describe how the facility 
participant living space will be configured. Include the square footage 
of the room or bay, the number of beds in that square footage and if 
the beds will be bunked (i.e., Single Room Occupancy, 100 square feet, 
no bunk beds; Open Bay, 900 square feet, 12 beds, 4 sets of bunk beds; 
Apartment(s), 1500 square feet, 1,2, or 3 bedroom(s) no bunk beds):
    (g) Whether this project serving men, women, or both genders;
    (h) Description of any additional populations or types of housing 
being served/provided at this location (i.e., children, women, 
permanent housing, contract care). If none, so state.
    6. Contact Information (approximately 4 pages): Where 
correspondence can be sent to the Executive Director/President/CEO.
    (a) Please provide the following:

Agency Name:-----------------------------------------------------------

Physical Address of Administrative Office: (no P.O. Boxes)-------------

City:------------------------------------------------------------------

State:-----------------------------------------------------------------

Zip + 4 digit extension:-----------------------------------------------

County:----------------------------------------------------------------

Congressional District:------------------------------------------------

Telephone number:------------------------------------------------------

Alternate Mailing Address: (If you would prefer regular mail be sent to 
a P.O. Box).-----------------------------------------------------------

City:------------------------------------------------------------------

State:-----------------------------------------------------------------

Zip:-------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Name and title of Executive Director/President/CEO (phone, fax, 
and email address);
    (c) Name and title of another management level employee, (phone, 
fax, and email address) who can sign commitments for the agency;
    (d) A complete listing of your agency's officers of the Board of 
Directors and their address, phone, fax, and email addresses.
    7. Project Abstract: On not more than one page provide a brief 
abstract of the project to include: Project design, supportive services 
committed to the project, types of assistance provided, and any special 
program provisions.
    8. Detailed Project Plan: This is the portion of the application 
that describes your program. VA Reviewers will focus on how the project 
plan addresses the areas of outreach, project plan, model specific 
questions, ability, need, and coordination in relation to your selected 
model. Please note there are some questions that only apply to specific 
models (Bridge, Clinical Treatment, Low Demand, Hospital-to-Housing), 
Applicants applying for these models must include responses to these 
questions in their application.
    VA expects applicants awarded under this NOFA will meet the VA 
performance metrics for the selected model. With those metrics in mind, 
please include in your agency's

[[Page 50983]]

responses to the following sections your agency strategies to meet or 
exceed VA's national metric targets.
    (a) Outreach--In approximately 5 pages, describe how your agency 
outreach plan is tailored to the specific model chosen and seeks to 
provide for services Veterans living in places not ordinarily meant for 
human habitation (e.g., streets, parks abandon buildings, automobiles 
and emergency shelters) by answering the following:
    1. Outreach--Describe your agency's outreach plan and frequency of 
your selected Veteran population(s) living in places not ordinarily 
meant for human habitation (e.g., streets, parks abandon buildings, 
automobiles) and emergency shelters.
    2. Outreach--Identify where your organization will target and 
tailor its outreach efforts to identify appropriate Veterans for this 
program.
    3. Outreach--Describe your agency's involvement in the COC's 
Coordinated Assessment/Entry efforts. How does the plan fit into the 
COC's plan to end homelessness?
    (b) Project Plan--VA wishes to provide the most appropriate housing 
based on the needs of the individual Veteran. Be sure to answer these 
questions based on the specific model chosen for this application. In 
approximately 25 pages, provide the following:
    1. Project Plan--Specifically list the supportive services, 
frequency of occurrence and who will provide them and how they will 
help Veteran participants achieve residential stability, increase skill 
levels and or income, and increase self-determination (i.e., case 
management, frequency of individual/groups, employment services). Use a 
table or spreadsheet for this section (See Example 1).
    Example 1:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Job title and credential
                                         Frequency of offering       required for the           This service supports the achievement of residential
          Supportive service             (daily, weekly, etc.)     individual providing     stability, increase skill and income, or self-determination
                                                                         services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case management......................  Weekly..................  Case Manager--LCSW......  Residential stability. Increased Skills and Income.
Finance Planning Group...............  Bi-Weekly...............  Life Skills Educator, BA/ Residential stability. Increased Skills and Income.
                                                                  BS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Project Plan--VA places emphasis on lowering barriers to 
admissions; describe the specific process and admission criteria for 
deciding which Veterans are appropriate for admission.
    3. Project Plan--Address whether you plan on serving a mixed gender 
population or individuals with children.
    4. Project Plan--Provide a listing and explanation of any gender-
specific services.
    5. Project Plan--How will the safety security and privacy of 
participants be ensured?
    6. Project Plan--How, when, and by whom will participants' progress 
toward meeting their individual goals be monitored, evaluated, and 
documented?
    7. Project Plan--Provide your agency's Individual Service Plan 
(ISP) methodology and the core items to be addressed in the plan.
    8. Project Plan--How will permanent affordable housing be 
identified in the ISP and made known to participants who plan on 
leaving the supportive housing?
    9. Project Plan--Will your agency provide follow-up services? If 
yes, describe those services, how often they will occur, and the 
duration of the follow-up.
    10. Project Plan--Describe how Veteran participants will have a 
voice and aid in operating and maintaining the housing (i.e., volunteer 
time, paid positions, community governance meetings, peer support).
    11. Project Plan--Describe your agency's responsibilities, as well 
as any sponsors or contractors' responsibilities in operating and 
maintaining the housing (i.e., sub-recipients).
    12. Project Plan--Describe program policies regarding a clean and 
sober environment. Include in the description how participant relapse 
will be handled and how these policies will affect the admission and 
discharge criteria.
    13. Project Plan--Provide and describe the type and implementation 
of the medication control system that will be used in this project 
(e.g., Medication Management, Medication Monitoring, or individual 
storage). For reference, applicants may review these requirements at 
http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp 2018 Notice of Funding and 
Documents--Medication Requirements.
    14. Project Plan--Describe program polices regarding participant 
agreements, including any leases and subleases if used.
    15. Project Plan--Describe program polices regarding 
extracurricular fees.
    16. Project Plan--If co-located with other models, populations, or 
with other non-grant and per diem projects, how will differences in 
program rules and policies be handled (see example 2)?
    Example 2:
    Your agency has permanent housing, bridge housing, and low demand 
housing. These all serve different populations and require different 
levels of policy to properly function. How will this be accomplished?
    17. Project Plan--Describe how in your chosen model you will aid 
Veterans who seek increased income or benefits.
    18. Project Plan--Address how your agency will facilitate the 
provision of nutritional meals for the Veterans. Be sure to describe 
how Veterans with little or no income will be assisted.
    19. Project Plan--VA places great emphasis on placing Veterans in 
the most appropriate housing situation as rapidly as possible. 
Applicants will provide a time line describing program admission to 
program exit for individuals in the program and the specific services 
including follow up that supports housing stabilization. Include 
evidence of coordination of transition services with which your agency 
expects to have for Veterans.
    20. Project Plan--Describe how you will facilitate transportation 
of the Veteran participants with and without income to appointments, 
employment, and supportive services.
    (c) Model Specific Questions:
    Applicants should only respond to the following questions as they 
apply for the model selected in this application.
    1. Bridge Housing Model--The availability of permanent housing 
options are key to the this model. Describe how your bridge housing is 
coordinated with permanent housing resources as part of a Housing First 
plan for homeless Veterans. Be sure to describe the referral process, 
how care will be coordinated while in GPD and ensure a housing outcome 
is achieved in an efficient manner. Include background on the amount of 
available permanent housing in the area you propose to serve.
    2. Clinical Treatment Model--Describe how you will ensure homeless 
Veterans will be offered available permanent housing resources prior to 
entering treatment resources.
    3. Clinical Treatment Model--Describe how you will ensure permanent 
housing and employment/income improvements will occur and lead to 
successful outcomes.
    4. Low Demand Model--How will your agency manage a safe environment

[[Page 50984]]

if a Veteran returns to the project impaired?
    5. Low Demand Model--Will your safe environment include a sober 
lounge or safe room?
    6. Low Demand Model--What approaches will be used to keep the 
Veterans engaged in services?
    7. Hospital-to-Housing--Describe the medical evaluation process for 
identifying potential candidates for the program, the staff involved in 
that process, the evaluation criteria, and the roles of each 
individual.
    8. Service Centers--The success of service centers is predicated 
upon the engagement of the homeless Veteran community. Describe how 
your agency will engage and influence homeless Veterans in how they it 
will address their housing, physical, medical, and mental health needs.
    (d) Ability--In approximately 5 pages, describe your agency's 
experience regarding your selected population.
    1. Ability--Provide a table or spreadsheet of the staffing plan for 
this project. Do not include resumes.
    Example 3:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Amount of annual
                                Brief (1-2) sentence                           Hours per week   salary allocated
          Job title                description of        Educational level      allocated to       to the GPD
                                  responsibilities                               GPD project      project ($)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case manager.................  Responsible for        BSW                                  30            $35,250
                                working with the
                                Veteran to develop
                                and monitors an
                                individual service
                                plan (ISP), adjusts
                                plans as needed.
                                Coordinates with
                                other community
                                agencies to support.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience assessing 
and providing for the housing needs of homeless Veterans under your 
chosen model.
    3. Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience assessing 
and providing supportive services to homeless Veterans under your 
chosen model.
    4. Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience in assessing 
supportive service resources and entitlement benefits.
    5. Ability--Describe your agency's previous experience with 
evaluating the progress of both individual participants and overall 
program effectiveness through using quality and performance data to 
make changes. Provide documentation of meeting past performance goals.
    6. Ability--Is your agency licensed to provide clinical services? 
If yes, describe your licensure.
    (e) Need--In approximately 5 pages, describe using reliable data 
from survey of homes population or other reports or data-gathering 
mechanisms, the substantial unmet needs particularly among your 
targeted Veteran population and those needs of the general homeless 
population. Also, describe why your agency chose this model of 
transitional housing? Include in your response how your agency 
determined the number of beds needed; or, for service centers, include 
how your agency determined the anticipated level of participation. How 
does this project model meet a need for the community and fit with the 
community's strategy to end homeless in the community?
    (f) Coordination--In approximately 5 pages, describe and provide 
evidence of your agency's involvement in the homeless Veteran 
continuum.
    1. Coordination--Provide documented evidence your agency is part of 
an ongoing community-wide planning process.
    2. Coordination--How is your process designed to share information 
on available resources and reduce duplication among programs that serve 
homeless Veterans (i.e., letter of support from your local continuum of 
care)?
    3. Coordination--How is your agency part of an ongoing community-
wide planning process that is designed to share information on 
available resources and reduce duplication among programs that serve 
homeless Veterans?
    4. Coordination--How has your agency coordinated GPD services with 
other programs offered in the Continuum(s) of Care (CoC) they currently 
serve?
    5. Coordination--Provide documented evidence that your agency 
consulted directly with the closest VAMC Director regarding 
coordination of services for project participants; and provide your 
plan to assure access to health care, case management, and other care 
services.
    (g) Additional Application Requirements--
    1. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Hospital-to-Housing 
Documentation--A MOU between the local medical center and the applicant 
must be provided demonstrating the local medical center's detailed 
participation in the Hospital-to- Housing program. Included in this 
should be a detailing of acceptance criteria for Veterans being 
referred from local facility emergency departments and inpatient wards, 
a detailing of how follow-up care with the medical center is organized, 
and a commitment to engaging enrolled Veterans in permanent housing as 
part of the program.
    2. Awardees will be required to support their request for payments 
with adequate fiscal documentation as to project income and expenses. 
Awardee agencies that have a negotiated Indirect Cost Agreement (IDC) 
must provide a copy of the IDC with this application if they wish to 
charge indirect costs to the grant. Without this document, only the de 
minimis rate would be allowed for indirect costs. All other costs will 
be considered only if they are direct costs.
    Submission Dates and Times: An original signed, dated, completed 
application (plus two completed collated copies) and all required 
associated documents must be received in the GPD Program Office, VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-
200, Tampa, FL 33617; by 4:00 p.m. February 28, 2018.
    In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, this 
deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat any application 
that is received after the deadline as ineligible for consideration. 
Applicants should take this firm deadline into account and make early 
submission of their material to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
because of unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems. For 
applications physically delivered (e.g., in person, or via United 
States Postal Service, FedEx, United Parcel Service, or any other type 
of courier), the VA GPD Program Office staff will accept the 
application and date stamp it immediately at the time of arrival. This 
is the date and time that will determine if the deadline is met for 
those types of delivery.
    Applications must be received by the application deadline. 
Applications must arrive as a complete package to include VA 
collaborative partner materials (see application requirements). 
Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application 
package for consideration and may result in the

[[Page 50985]]

application being rejected or not funded.
    DO NOT fax or email the application as applications received via 
these means will be ineligible for consideration.
    Award Notice: Although subject to change, the GPD Program Office 
expects to announce grant awards in July, 2018. The initial 
announcement will be made via news release which will be posted on VA's 
National GPD Program Web site at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Following 
the initial announcement, the GPD Office will mail notification letters 
to the grant recipients. Applicants who are not selected will be mailed 
a declination letter within two weeks of the initial announcement.
    Administrative and National Policy: It is important to be aware 
that VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA 
has procedures in place to monitor services provided to homeless 
Veterans and outcomes associated with the services provided in grant 
and per diem-funded programs. Applicants should be aware of the 
following:
    All awardees that are selected in response to this NOFA must meet 
the requirements of the current edition of the Life Safety Code of the 
National Fire Protection Association as it relates to their specific 
facility. Applicants should note that all facilities are to be 
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system unless a 
facility is specifically exempted under the Life Safety Code. 
Applicants should consider this when submitting their grant 
applications, as no additional funds will be made available for capital 
improvements under this NOFA.
    Each program receiving funding will have a liaison appointed from a 
nearby VA medical facility to provide oversight and monitor services 
provided to homeless Veterans in the program.
    Monitoring will include, at a minimum, a quarterly review of each 
per diem program's progress toward meeting VA's performance metrics, 
helping Veterans attain housing stability, adequate income support, and 
self-sufficiency as identified in each per diem application. Monitoring 
may also include a review of the agency's income and expenses as they 
relate to this project to ensure payment is accurate.
    Each funded program will participate in VA's national program 
monitoring and evaluation as these procedures will be used to determine 
successful accomplishment of housing, employment, and self-sufficiency 
outcomes for each per diem-funded program.
Signing Authority
    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document 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. Gina S. 
Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on October 30, 2017, for publication.

    Dated: October 30, 2017.
Michael Shores,
Director, Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-23906 Filed 11-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P