Sen. Landrieu Announces $5.9M to Help Homeless and At-Risk Veterans, Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 12, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced $5.9 million in grants to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The funds are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program.

The SSVF Program supports the VA’s efforts to prevent at-risk veterans from becoming homeless and rapidly find housing for those who have recently fallen into homelessness. Grantees will provide a range of services that promote housing stability and play a key role in connecting Veterans and their family members to VA services such as mental health care and other benefits.

“Our veterans have put their own well-being on the line in serving our country, and we owe it to these brave men and women to do whatever we can do to help them get back on their feet and into the workforce,” Sen. Landrieu said. “Today’s funding will help community centers provide the counseling, housing and employment placement services at-risk and homeless veterans need so they can provide for themselves and their families.”

Today’s grants include the following community agencies in Louisiana:

• $2 million to the Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans to serve approximately 880 participant households throughout Louisiana.

• $1.6 million to Hope Center, Inc., to serve approximately 650 participant households in Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Orleans parishes.

• $730,000 to Wellspring Alliance for Families, Inc., to serve approximately 400 participant households in 18 parishes including Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Franklin, Caldwell and West Carroll.

• $690,000 to Elle Foundation to serve approximately 150 participant households in Shreveport/Bossier/Northwest Continuum of Care.

• $600,000 to Start Corporation to serve approximately 150 participant households in Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and Terrebonne Parishes.

• $265,000 to the Shepherd Center for Central Louisiana, Inc. to serve approximately 60 participant households in Grant, Rapides, Concordia, Catahoula, Winn, LaSalle, Avoyelles, and Vernon parishes and the tribal lands of Jena Choctaw and Tunica Biloxi.