[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42252-42253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15967]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Fund Availability Under VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds for applications for assistance under the 
Technical Assistance Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant 
and Per Diem Program. This notice contains information concerning the 
program, application process, and amount of funding available.

DATES: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three 
completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and 
Per Diem Field Office on August 17, 2004. Applications may not be sent 
by facsimile (fax). 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 material to avoid any risk of loss 
of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-
related problems.
    For a Copy of the Application Package: Download directly from VA's 
Grant and Per Diem Program Web page at: http://www.va.gov/ homeless/
page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-
877-332-0334. For a document relating to the VA Homeless Providers 
Grant and Per Diem Program, see the final rule codified at title 38 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 61.0.
    Submission of Application: An original completed and collated grant 
application (plus three copies) must be submitted to the following 
address: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Field Office, 10770 
N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617. Applications must be 
received in the Grant and Per Diem Field office by the application 
deadline. 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 or not 
funded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers 
Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 North 
46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces the availability of 
funds for assistance under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program for eligible non-profit entities with expertise in preparing 
grant applications relating to the provision of assistance for homeless 
veterans to: Provide technical assistance to those non-profit 
community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to 
homeless veterans in order to help such groups apply for grants under 
the final rule, published in the Federal Register, September 26, 2003, 
or to apply for other grants from any source for addressing the 
problems of homeless veterans.
    Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance 
Act of 2001, authorizes this program. Funding applied for under this 
notice may be used for: (a) Group or individual seminars providing 
general instructions concerning grant applications; (b) Group or 
individual seminars providing instructions for applying for a specific 
grant; or (c) Group or individual instruction for preparing analyses to 
be included in a grant application. Seminars (course of instruction) 
may be delivered in electronic, face-to-face, and correspondence 
methodologies (e.g., Internet based training, video teleconferencing, 
computer media such as CD or disk).
    Entities that are interested in providing technical assistance 
should be aware that historically the Grant and Per Diem Program office 
receives over 1,200 nationwide inquiries per Notice of Fund 
Availability from prospective applicants. It is estimated that an 
additional 1,000 inquiries are received nationwide at VA Medical Center 
Homeless Programs. From these inquiries, VA has seen an increase in the 
number of applicants each year. Approximately 100 to 300 applications 
per funding round have been received in past responses to Notices of 
Fund Availability (NOFAs) under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per 
Diem Program. Additionally, faith-based organizations that are capable 
of providing supported housing and/or supportive service center 
services for homeless veterans have figured prominently into the mix of 
non-profit organizations seeking funding. Approximately 2500 beds in 
115 programs have come from faith-based organizations. Those entities 
applying to provide technical assistance should consider not only the 
numbers but the diversity of the service provider seeking assistance 
when establishing their service plans.
    The applicant for this funding will be expected to develop an 
integrated technical assistance plan, using funds for purposes as 
specified in this NOFA, the objectives of the program rules and 
regulations, as well as the intent of Public Law 107-95, to offer 
technical assistance to agencies in their-specified target area. 
Applicants should take note that they will be held accountable to 
provide to VA documentation that demonstrates the objectives of 
technical training are being met throughout the course of the award 
cycle and documentation that clearly demonstrates the completion of 
technical assistance objectives were met, cumulatively, at the end of 
the funding period. Also, VA intends to conduct both fiscal and 
performance reviews at least bi-annually of the awarded agency(s). The 
technical assistance should not only raise the awareness of providers 
regarding the availability of funds to assist homeless veterans but 
also increase providers' proficiency in applying for funds to assist 
homeless veterans. Applicants should take the aforementioned into 
consideration when developing a technical assistance plan. Outcomes 
measures that are specific and measurable should be an integral part of 
the technical assistance plan that is submitted in the application.
    Grant applicants may not receive assistance to replace funds 
provided by any State or local government for the same purpose.

    Authority: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is 
authorized by Public Law 107-95, section 5(a)(1), the Homeless 
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 codified at title 38 
United States Code (U.S.C.) 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064 and has been 
extended through Fiscal Year 2005. The program is implemented by the 
final rule codified at title 38 CFR 61.0. The regulations can be 
found in their entirety in title 38 CFR 61.0 through 61.82. Funds 
made available under this notice are subject to the requirements of 
those regulations.

    Allocation: Approximately $1.5 million is available for the 
technical assistance grant component of this program. Funding will be 
for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of award.

[[Page 42253]]

    Funding Priorities: None.
    Application Requirements: The specific grant application 
requirements will be specified in the application package. The package 
includes all required forms and certifications. Selections will be made 
based on criteria described in the application. Applicants who are 
selected will be notified of any additional information needed to 
confirm or clarify information provided in the application. Applicants 
will then be notified of the time in which to submit such information. 
If an applicant is unable to meet any conditions for grant award within 
the specified time frame, VA reserves the right to not award funds and 
to use the funds available for other grant and per diem applicants.

    Dated: July 8, 2004.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 04-15967 Filed 7-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P