House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Holds Hearing on FY 2013 VA Budget Request
Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. EST

On Thursday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. EST, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs will hold a hearing to review the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)'s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, FY 2013. This hearing will be held at 334 Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Advocates and homeless veteran service providers are encouraged to attend this hearing in order to demonstrate solidarity in support of measures that will advance the Five-Year Plan to End Homelessness among Veterans.

For more information, visit the Committee's website.

Congress Finishes FY 2012 Appropriations Process
$224 million for Grant and Per Diem Program, $75 million for new HUD-VASH vouchers

The fiscal year (FY) 2012 appropriations process has come to an end, and homeless veterans programs have received unprecedented funding. In the closing months of the first session of the 112th Congress, two “minibus” (or small omnibus) bills were signed into law funding the federal government for the current fiscal year: H.R. 2112 and H.R. 2055.

The former bill became law on Nov. 18, 2011, and funds the Department of Housing and Urban Development, among other agencies. The latter bill became law on Dec. 23, 2011, and funds the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, among other agencies.

Here is some key information, categorized by federal agency, about the final FY 2012 appropriations bills as they relate to homeless veterans programs:

Department of Housing and Urban Development

• Most notably, $75 million for new permanent supportive housing (HUD-VASH Program) vouchers for chronically homeless veterans has been signed into law. This funding will bring the total number of HUD-VASH vouchers to about 49,000 – representing 80 percent of the Obama Administration’s initial target of 60,000 vouchers needed to end chronic veteran homelessness.

Department of Veterans Affairs

• Direct programs to assist homeless veterans are funded at $939 million, including $224 million for the VA Homeless Veterans Grant and Per Diem Program – a $74 million increase over the FY 2010-11 levels. HUD-VASH Program support services are funded at $202 million – an increased investment over the previous fiscal year of about $50 million. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program is funded at about $100 million. 

Department of Labor

• The DOL Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) is funded at $38.26 million, a $2 million increase over the previous two fiscal years. The Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP), meanwhile, is funded at $14.62 million, a $5 million increase over the previous two fiscal years.

2012 NCHV Annual Conference: Call for Abstracts
Deadline for submissions extended to Jan. 31

The 2012 NCHV Annual Conference will be held May 30 through June 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The theme for the 2012 conference will be "Halfway Home: Progress in the Plan to End Veteran Homelessness."

The NCHV Annual Conference is the premier homeless veteran-focused conference in the nation, featuring leading experts, government officials, and community-based service providers who will oversee training sessions on the topics most important to those who serve homeless veterans. NCHV is now accepting abstracts from individuals interested in presenting at this year’s conference.
 
Presentation focus areas of particular interest are: prevention, adapting program models, income/employment, targeting special populations, and collaborating with Veteran Service Organizations. Other relevant focus areas will also be considered.

In order to be considered, all abstract submissions must be emailed to NCHV Technical Assistance Director Baylee Crone at bcrone@nchv.org by Jan. 31, 2012.

To download the abstract submission form, click here. Visit the 2012 Annual Conference Page for registration and hotel information, as well as more details about the conference as they become available.

HUD Webinar: HUD-VASH 101
Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m. EST

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will host a webinar titled “HUD-VASH 101” on Jan. 24 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. EST. This interactive webinar will provide an overview of HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program policies and requirements. It is designed mostly for staff from PHAs and VAMCs that are new to the program and/or staff that need a refresher. Topics covered will include: 1) HUD-VASH goals and objectives, 2) general information on VA case management, 3) HUD-VASH voucher operating requirements, 4) project-basing HUD-VASH vouchers, and 5) frequently asked questions. 

To register for the webinar, click here.

VA Deploying 20 New Mobile Vet Centers
Will expand veterans’ access to VA services nationwide

COLUMBUS, OH – On Jan. 4, the Department of Veterans Affairs deployed 20 additional Mobile Vet Centers from the production facility of Farber Specialty Vehicles to increase access to readjustment counseling services for veterans and their families in rural and underserved communities across the country.

These customized vehicles – which are equipped with confidential counseling space and a state-of-the-art communication package – travel to communities to extend VA’s reach to veterans, service members and their families, especially those living in rural or remote communities. The vehicles also serve as part of the VA emergency response program.

The 20 new, American-made vehicles will expand the existing fleet of 50 Mobile Vet Centers already in service providing outreach and counseling services. The 50 Mobile Vet Centers were also manufactured by Farber Specialty Vehicles. In fiscal year 2011, Mobile Vet Centers participated in more than 3,600 federal-, state- and locally sponsored veteran-related events. The VA contract for the 20 Mobile Vet Centers totals $3.1 million.

During the announcement event, it was also announced that Farber Specialty Vehicles recently won a competitive bid to produce 230 emergency shuttle vehicles for VA over the next five years. The shuttles will provide routine transportation for veteran patients in and around various metro areas during normal operations, but convert to mobile clinics that will facilitate the evacuation of patients and their care teams during disasters and emergencies. The VA contract for the 230 emergency shuttles totals $53.5 million. 

To find out more about Vet Center services or to find a Vet Center in your area, go to www.vetcenter.va.gov.

The 20 new mobile Vet Centers will be based at:

• Birmingham, Ala.
• San Diego, Calif.
• Atlanta, Ga.
• Western Oahu, Hawaii
• Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Evanston, Ill.
• Indianapolis, Ind.
• Baltimore, Md.
• Pontiac, Mich.
• Kansas City, Mo.
• Jackson, Miss.
• Greensboro, N.C.
• Lakewood, N.J.
• Reno, Nev.
• Stark County, Ohio
• Lawton, Okla.
• Ponce, Puerto Rico
• Nashville, Tenn.
• Washington County, Utah
• Green Bay, Wis.

NLC and The Home Depot Foundation Launch Project to Support Veteran Housing

WASHINGTON – The National League of Cities (NLC) and The Home Depot Foundation will launch a new effort to provide local officials with resources to assist in rehabilitating neighborhood-based housing for special needs populations, with a special emphasis on returning military veterans and veterans with disabilities. As part of its work, NLC will create toolkits, compile best practices, and provide local officials with learning opportunities such as education programs at NLC’s national conferences, in partnership with a network of state leagues of cities and through a member-based group of city officials representing military communities.

It is expected that cities will address the housing needs of veterans while also providing innovations and efficiencies such as improving facilities for veteran housing. The partnership will leverage The Home Depot Foundation’s work in a number of cities to support nonprofit partners by funding housing repair and renovation. 

In 2011, The Home Depot Foundation focused its attention on a variety of issues affecting veterans. It has implemented over 300 projects and commits $30 million over 3 years for home renovation and repairs in support of U.S. military veterans. The foundation will support NLC’s efforts with a $250,000 grant for 2012.

“We are committed to ensuring that every veteran has a safe place to call home,” said Kelly Caffarelli, President, The Home Depot Foundation. “The National League of Cities is one of the key organizations working with cities to address the needs of veterans and their families, and we are honored to help them increase their ability to serve those who have served us all.”

2012 NCHV Awards Nominations
Call for entries for Annual NCHV Awards

NCHV members are invited to nominate deserving individuals and organizations for the following awards. Winners will be honored at the NCHV Annual Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C., during the 2012 Annual Conference. For more information, visit our conference webpage.

• Outstanding Member
  To the NCHV member that has demonstrated leadership
  in coalition building.
• Partnership Award
  To a person or organization (not an NCHV member) who
  has contributed to the development of partnerships to
  expand the services available for homeless veterans.
• Public Policy Award
  To a local or state person or organization for influencing
  or implementing public policy to benefit homeless veterans.
• Unsung Hero Award
  To a person who has contributed to the recognition of the
  homeless veteran issue in a supporting or unrecognized
  leadership role.
• Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor Staff Awards

Fax your nomination (in the form of a letter explaining why the nominee is deserving of which award) to 202-546-2063, or email to rbrown@nchv.org.

Funding Opportunities

Costco Wholesale’s corporate contributions program supports nonprofits in company operating areas in the United States, Canada and internationally. Priority is given to programs focusing on children, education, and health and human services. Grants are generally program-based. The Company reviews grant requests throughout the year. Local organizations should submit requests to the warehouse manager at the nearest Costco store. Grant requests that impact a broader region should go through the appropriate regional office. For more information, click here.

Impact 100 Cincinnati seeks applications for grants of least $100,000. Applications are invited from nonprofit organizations providing sustainable solutions for people in the Greater Cincinnati/northern Kentucky region who lack access to basic necessities such as health care, quality shelter, education, and job skills. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15. For more information, click here.  

The Richard and Mary Morrison Foundation’s focus is on small charitable organizations throughout the United States that aim to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and society in general. Priority is given to organizations that focus on one or more of the following areas: education, health, wellness, human services, social welfare, child advocacy, social equality, social justice, human kindness, and humanitarian relief. Pre-application consultations are highly recommended. For more information, click here.