Source: http://thefederalregister.com/2012/10/26/2012-26376.html
Timestamp: 2017-12-12 12:12:01
Document Index: 743036069

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 62', 'art 62', 'art 62', '§ 62', '§ 62', 'art 62', '§ 62']

Federal Register | Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran Fa
SUMMARY: Applications for initial and renewal supportive services grants under the SSVF Program must be received by the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1, 2013. 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 materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service outages, or other delivery-related problems.
For a Copy of the Application Package:Copies of the application can be downloaded directly from the SSVF Program Web site at:www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.Questions should be referred to the SSVF Program Office via phone at (877) 737-0111 (toll-free number) or via email atSSVF@va.gov.For detailed SSVF Program information and requirements, see 38 CFR Part 62.
Submission of Application Package:Two completed, collated, hard copies of the application and two compact discs (CD) containing electronic versions of the entire application are required. Each application copy must (i) be fastened with a binder clip; and (ii) contain tabs listing the major sections of and exhibits to the application. Each CD must be labeled with the applicant's name and must contain an electronic copy of the entire application. A budget template must be attached in Excel format on the CD, but all other application materials may be attached in a PDF or other format. The application copies and CDs must be submitted to the following address: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants must submit two hard copies and two CDs. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX). Applications must be received in the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the application deadline date. Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application package for consideration and may result in the application being rejected. To encourage the equitable distribution of supportive services grants across geographic regions, in accordance with 38 CFR 62.23(d)(2), an eligible entity may apply for a total of $2 million per year in funding per grant. See Section II.C. of this NOFA for maximum allowable grant amounts.
Technical Assistance:Information regarding how to obtain technical assistance with the preparation of an initial or renewal supportive services grant application is available on the SSVF Program Web site at:http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp.
A.Purpose:The SSVF Program's purpose is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families who: (i) Are residing in permanent housing, (ii) are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period, or (iii) afterexiting permanent housing within a specified time period, are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income Veteran family's needs and preferences.
B.Definitions:Sections 62.2 and 62.11(a) of title 38, CFR, contain definitions of terms used in the SSVF Program. In addition to the definitions included in those sections, this NOFA introduces two program areas: Emergency Housing Assistance and General Housing Stability Assistance.
Emergency Housing Assistancemeans the provision of up to 30 days of temporary housing that does not require the participant to sign a lease or occupancy agreement. The cost cannot exceed the reasonable community standard for such housing. Emergency housing is limited to short-term commercial residences (private residences are not eligible for such funding) not already funded to provide on-demand emergency shelter (such as emergency congregate shelters). By authorizing the limited provision of SSVF funded emergency housing, grantees will be able to ensure that participants do not become homeless while they transition to permanent housing or otherwise be put at risk pending placement in permanent housing. Appropriate provision of emergency housing is limited to those cases in which no space is available at a community shelter that would be appropriate for placement of a family unit and where permanent housing has been identified and secured but the participant cannot immediately be placed in that housing. Only families with children under the age of 18 may receive such assistance; individuals are not eligible for SSVF funded emergency housing placement. In the event that longer term transitional housing or emergency housing is needed without such restrictions, VA offers community-based alternatives including, the Grant and Per Diem Program and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans contract residential care program, as well as a variety of VA based residential care programs.
General Housing Stability Assistancemeans the provision of goods or payment of expenses not included in other sections but which are directly related to supporting a participant's housing stability. This is a new category that may offer a maximum of $1,500 in assistance per participant. Such assistance, when not available through existing mainstream and community resources, may include: (1) Items necessary for a participant's life or safety that are provided to the participant by a grantee on a temporary basis in order to address the participant's emergency situation (limited to $500 per SSVF Program under 38 CFR 62.34); (2) Expenses associated with gaining or keeping employment such as obtaining uniforms, tools, certifications, and licenses; (3) Expenses associated with moving into permanent housing, such as obtaining basic kitchen utensils, bedding, and other supplies; and (4) Expenses necessary for securing appropriate permanent housing such as fees for applications, brokerage fees, or background checks.
C.Approach:Grantees will be expected to leverage supportive services grant funds to enhance the housing stability of very low-income Veteran families who are occupying permanent housing. In doing so, grantees are required to establish relationships with local community resources. The aim of the provision of supportive services is to assist very low-income Veteran families residing in permanent housing to remain stably housed and to rapidly transition to stable housing (i) very low-income Veteran families who are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within 90 days, including those leaving VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem projects and (ii) very low-income Veteran families who have exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to their needs and preferences. Accordingly, VA encourages eligible entities skilled in facilitating housing stability and currently operating rapid re-housing programs (i.e.,administering the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, HUD's Emergency Solution Grant (ESG), or other comparable Federal or community resources) to apply for supportive services grants. The SSVF Program is not intended to provide long-term support for participants, nor will it be able to address all of the financial and supportive services needs of participants that affect housing stability. Rather, when participants require long-term support, grantees should focus on connecting such participants to mainstream Federal and community resources (e.g.,HUD-VA Supportive Housing (VASH) program, HUD Housing Choice Voucher programs, McKinney-Vento funded supportive housing programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, etc.) that can provide ongoing support as required.
D.Authority:Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2044, as recently amended by the Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011, Public Law 112-37. VA implements the SSVF program by regulation in 38 CFR part 62. Funds made available under this NOFA are subject to the requirements of the aforementioned regulations and other applicable laws and regulations.
E.Requirements for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds:The grantee's request for funding must be consistent with the limitations and uses of supportive services grant funds set forth in 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA. In accordance with the regulations and this NOFA, the following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded under this NOFA:
(2) Grantees must use a minimum of 60 percent of supportive services grant funds to serve very low-income Veteran families who either (i) are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within 90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for permanent housing, as described in § 62.11(a)(2), or (ii) have exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to their needs and preferences, as described in § 62.11(a)(3). (Note:Grantees may request a waiver to decrease this minimum to 40 percent, discussed in section V.B.5.i.)
F.Guidance for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds:It is VA policy to support a “Housing First” model in addressing and ending homelessness. Housing First establishes housingstability as the primary intervention in working with homeless persons. The Housing First approach is based on the concept that a homeless individual or household's first and primary need is to obtain stable housing, and that other issues that may affect the household can and should be addressed once housing is obtained. Housing is not contingent on compliance with services—instead, participants must comply with a standard lease agreement and are provided with the services and supports that are necessary to help them do so successfully.
3. Grantees are encouraged to provide, or assist participants in obtaining, legal services relevant to issues that interfere with the participants' ability to obtain or retain permanent housing.Note:Legal services provided may be protected from release or review by the grantee or VA under attorney-client privilege. Support for legal services can include paying for court filing fees to assist a participant with issues that interfere with the participant's ability to obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services, including issues that affect the participant's employability and financial security.
5. When serving participants who are residing in permanent housing, it is required that the defining question to ask is: “Would this individual or family be homeless but for this assistance?” The grantee must use a VA-approved screening tool with criteria that targets those most at-risk of homelessness. To qualify for SSVF services under Category 1 (homeless prevention), the participants must not have sufficient resources or support networks,e.g.,family, friends, faith-based or other social networks, immediately available to prevent them from becoming homeless. To further qualify for services under Category 1, the grantee must document that the participant meets at least one of the following conditions:
A.Overview:This NOFA announces the availability of funds for supportive services grants under the SSVF Program and pertains to proposals for initial and renewal supportive services grant programs.
B.Funding Priorities:The funding priorities for this NOFA are as follows:
1. Funding Priority 1. Funding Priority 1 is for existing SSVF Program grantees seeking to renew their supportive services grants. To be eligible for renewal of a supportive services grant, the grantee's program concept must be generally consistent with the program concept of the grantee's current grant award. Renewal applications can request a grant amount that is no more than 200 percent of the grantee's current grant award (subject to the allocation limitations described in Section E of this NOFA). Requests for funding increases must be based both on commensurate increases in the number of participants served and expanding access to HUD's Continuums of Care currently not served by an SSVF program. (Note:If an existing grantee would like to substantially modify an existing program, the grantee may submit an initial application and apply under Funding Priority 2. Grantees cannot submit more than one application serving the same geographic area.) An existing grantee applying for funding for a program that is substantially the same as their existing program, may only apply under Funding Priority 1. Approximately $140 million of the up to $300 million available may be awarded depending on funding available under Funding Priority 1. Should not enough applications be funded under Funding Priority 1, funds not expended in this priority will fall to Funding Priority 2.
C.Allocation of Funds:If funding for Priority 1 projects is exhausted, funding may be awarded depending on availability for initial and renewalsupportive services grants, to be funded under this NOFA for a 1- to 3-year period. The following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded under this NOFA:
D.Supportive Services Grant Award Period:Most supportive services grants awarded under this NOFA will be for a 1-year period. Selected grants renewed under Funding Priority 1 may be eligible for a 2- or 3-year award (see I.1 and N.6).
A.Eligible Applicants:In order to be eligible, an applicant must qualify as a private non-profit organization (Section 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status is required) or a consumer cooperative as has the meaning given such term in Section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q). In addition, tribally designated housing entities (as defined in Section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4104)) are eligible.
B.Cost Sharing or Matching:This section is not applicable to the SSVF program.
A.Address To Request Application Package:Download directly from the SSVF Program Web site atwww.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.aspor send a written request for an application to Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Any questions regarding this process should be referred to the SSVF Program Office via phone at (877) 737-0111 (toll-free number) or via email atSSVF@va.gov.For detailed SSVF Program information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 62.
B.Content and Form of Application:Two completed, collated, hard copies of the application and two compact discs (CDs) containing electronic versions of the entire application are required. Each application copy must (i) be fastened with a binder clip; and (ii) contain tabs listing the major sections of and exhibits to the application. Each CD must be labeled with the applicant's name and must contain an electronic copy of the entire application. A budget template must be attached in Excel format on the CD, but all other application materials may be attached in a PDF or other format.
C.Submission Dates and Times:Applications for initial and renewal supportive services grants under the SSVF Program must be received by the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1, 2013. Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application package for consideration and may result in the application being rejected. Additionally, 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 materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service outages, or other delivery-related problems.It should also be noted that in order to encourage the equitable distribution of supportive services grants across geographic regions, in accordance with 38 CFR 62.23(d)(2), an eligible entity may apply for a total of $2 million per year in funding per grant.
D.Intergovernmental Review:This section is not applicable to the SSVF Program.
E.Funding Restrictions:Approximately $300 million may be awarded depending on funding availability for initial and renewal supportive services grants to be funded under this NOFA for a 1- to 3-year period. The following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded under this NOFA:
F.Other Submission Requirements:
V. Application Review Information A. Criteria
(a) The application is filed within the time period established in the Notice of Fund Availability, and any additional information or documentation requested by VA under § 62.20(c) is provided within the time frame established by VA;
(b) The application is completed in all parts;
VI. Award Administration Information A. Award Notices
Although subject to change, the SSVF Program Office expects to announce grant recipients by mid-summer 2013. The initial announcement will be made via the SSVF Web site atwww.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Following the initial announcement, the Program Office will email and mail via United Postal Service (UPS), a notification letter to the grant recipients. The notification letter is not an authorization to begin performance, but will provide guidance as to the next steps the recipient must follow. Applicants that are not selected to receive a support services grant will be mailed a declination letter via UPS within 2 weeks of the initial announcement.
Consistent with the Housing First model supported by VA, grantees are expected to offer the following supportive services: Housing counseling; assisting participants in understanding leases; securing utilities; making moving arrangements; provide representative payee services concerning rent and utilities when needed; and mediation and outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining housing. Grantees may alsoassist participants by providing rental assistance, security or utility deposits, moving costs or emergency supplies, using other Federal resources, such as the ESG, or supportive services grant funds subject to the limitations described in this NOFA and 38 CFR 62.34.
John Kuhn, Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (877) 737-0111 (this is a toll-free number);SSVF@va.gov.
A.VA's Goals and Objectives for Funds Awarded Under this NOFA:In accordance with 38 CFR 62.22(b)(6), VA will evaluate an applicant's ability to meet VA's goals and objectives for the SSVF Program. VA's goals and objectives include the provision of supportive services designed to enhance the housing stability and independent living skills of very low-income Veteran families occupying permanent housing across geographic regions. For purposes of this NOFA, VA's goals and objectives also include the provision of supportive services designed to rapidly re-house or prevent homelessness among people in the following target populations who also meet all requirements for being part of a very low-income Veteran family occupying permanent housing:
B.Payments of Supportive Services Grant Funds:Grantees will receive payments electronically through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System. Grantees will have the ability to request payments as frequently as they choose subject to the following limitations:
Dated: October 9, 2012. John R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.