CONGRESSMAN LIEU STATEMENT ON VA GRANTS TO COMBAT VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2015
CONTACT:Jack d'Annibale | 202-330-1613

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles) released the following statement in light of the news that the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded nearly $93 million in new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) 3-year grants to 24 nonprofits, helping approximately 45,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans. The SSFV program provides immediate financial assistance to help families remain in permanent housing or return to permanent housing as quickly as possible.

"I applaud VA Secretary McDonald for once again demonstrating his commitment to devoting all necessary resources to ending Veterans Homelessness," said Congressman Lieu. "Los Angeles has the highest number of homeless Veterans in the nation, and I commend the VA for committing $30 million of these new grants to our nonprofit partners in the Los Angeles area. As one of the most effective programs for housing Veterans in the VA's toolbox, SSVF grants will build on the progress that has already been made over the past year by the VA and our partners on the ground to comprehensively tackle this issue once and for all."

Dr. Jonathan Sherin – Executive Vice President for Military Communities with the Volunteers of America – also made the following statement, "I am thrilled by this announcement, which is precisely the type of commitment that Secretary McDonald promised. SSVF, in my opinion, is the most impactful of VA homeless programs, focuses resource on outreach, permanent housing and prevention which are all critical to the solution. As we know, Los Angeles is ground zero for homeless Veterans and it is high time we rewrite this narrative."

Finally, Veterans advocate Bobby Shriver commented, "Thanks to Secretary McDonald and his team who are working hard in Los Angeles for Vets. Housing first works."