[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22579-22581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10311]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Notice of Funding Availability

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA), VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: VA is announcing the availability of 1-year renewal funding 
for the 12 currently operational fiscal year (FY) 2018 VA Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program Special Need Grant 
recipients and their collaborative VA Special Need partners (as 
applicable) to submit renewal applications for assistance under the 
Special Need Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program. 
The focus of this NOFA is to encourage applicants to continue to 
deliver services to the homeless Special Need Veteran population. This 
NOFA contains information concerning the program, application process, 
and amount of funding available.

DATES: An original completed signed and dated renewal application for 
assistance under VA's GPD Program and associated documents, must be 
received by the GPD Program Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, 
June 22, 2018. (see application requirements below).
    Applications may not be sent by facsimile. In the interest of 
fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date 
and time, and VA will treat any application that is received after the 
deadline as ineligible for consideration. Applicants should make early 
submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
because of unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.

ADDRESSES: An original signed, dated, completed, and collated grant 
renewal application and all required associated documents must be 
submitted to the following address: VA Homeless Providers GPD Program 
Office, 10770 N 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617. 
Applications must be received 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: Ms. Chelsea Watson, Deputy Director, 
VA Homeless Providers GPD Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
10770 N 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617; (toll-free) 1-
(877) 332-0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Opportunity Description

    This NOFA announces the availability of funds to provide 1-year 
funding assistance in FY 2019 under VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program 
for the 12 operational GPD Special Need recipients, and their 
collaborative VA partners (as applicable). Eligible applicants may 
obtain grant assistance to cover additional operational costs that 
would not otherwise be incurred, but for the fact that the recipient is 
providing supportive housing beds and services for the following 
Special Needs homeless Veteran populations:
    (1) Women;
    (2) Frail elderly;
    (3) Chronically mentally ill; or
    (4) Individuals who have care of minor dependents.
    Definitions of key terms relating to these populations are 
contained in 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 61.1 Definitions. 
Eligible applicants should review these definitions to ensure their 
proposed populations meet the specific requirements.
    Funding applied for under this NOFA may be used for the provision 
of service and operational costs to facilitate the following for each 
targeted group:

Women

    (1) Ensure transportation for women, especially for health care and 
educational needs; and
    (2) Address safety and security issues including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.

Frail Elderly

    (1) Ensure the safety of the residents in the facility, including 
preventing harm and exploitation;
    (2) Ensure opportunities to keep residents mentally and physically 
agile to the fullest extent through the incorporation of structured 
activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within 
the program and in the community;
    (3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life 
transitional issues and separation and/or loss issues;
    (4) Provide access to assistance devices, such as walkers, 
grippers, or other devices necessary for optimal functioning;
    (5) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (6) Provide opportunities for participants either directly or 
through

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referral, for other services particularly relevant for the frail 
elderly, including services or programs addressing emotional, social, 
spiritual, and generative needs.

Chronically Mentally Ill

    (1) Help participants join in and engage with the community;
    (2) Facilitate reintegration with the community and provide 
services that may optimize reintegration, such as life-skills 
education, recreational activities, and follow-up case management;
    (3) Ensure that participants have opportunities and services for 
re-establishing relationships with family;
    (4) Ensure adequate supervision, including supervision of 
medication and monitoring of medication compliance; and
    (5) Provide opportunities for participants, either directly or 
through referral, to obtain other services particularly relevant for a 
chronically mentally ill population, such as vocational development, 
benefits management, fiduciary or money, management services, 
medication compliance, and medication education.

Individuals Who Have Care of Minor Dependents

    (1) Ensure transportation for individuals who have care of minor 
dependents, and their minor dependents, especially for health care and 
educational needs;
    (2) Provide directly or offer referrals for adequate and safe child 
care;
    (3) Ensure children's health care needs are met, especially age-
appropriate wellness visits and immunizations; and
    (4) Address safety and security issues, including segregation from 
other program participants if deemed appropriate.

    Authority: 38 United States Code Sec. Sec.  2011, 2012, 2061, as 
implemented in regulation at 38 CFR 61.

Award Information

    Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of 1-year renewal 
funding for use in FY 2019 for the 12 currently operational FY 2018 VA 
Homeless Providers GPD Program Special Need Grant recipients and their 
collaborative VA Special Need partners (as applicable) to submit 
renewal applications for assistance under the Special Need Grant 
component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD Program.
    Funding Priorities: None.
    Allocation of Funds: Approximately $3 million is available for the 
current Special Need grant component of VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program. Funding will be for a period beginning on October 1, 2018, and 
ending on September 30, 2019. The Special Need per diem payment will be 
the lesser of:
    1. One hundred percent of the daily cost of care estimated by the 
Special Need grant recipient for furnishing services to homeless 
Veterans with Special Needs that the Special Need grant recipient 
certifies to be correct, minus any other sources of income; or
    2. Two times the current VA State Home Program per diem rate for 
domiciliary care.
    Special Need awards are subject to: FY 2019 funds availability; the 
recipient meeting the performance goals as stated in the grant 
application; statutory and regulatory requirements; and annual 
inspections.
    Applicants should ensure their funding requests and operational 
costs are based on the 12-month period above and should be 
approximately in line with prior year expenditures. Requests cannot 
exceed the amount obligated under their FY 2018 award. Applicants 
should note unexpended funding from FY 2018 will be de-obligated.
    Funding Actions: Applicants will be notified of any further 
additional information needed to confirm or clarify information 
provided in the application. Applicants will then be notified of the 
deadline to submit such information. If an applicant is unable to meet 
any one of the conditions for grant award within the specified time 
frame, VA reserves the right to not award funds to that applicant and 
to use the funds available for other Special Need applicants. Following 
receipt and confirmation that this information is accurate and in 
acceptable form, the applicant will execute an agreement with VA in 
accordance with 38 CFR 61.61.
    Grant Award Period: Applicants that are selected will have a 
maximum of 1 year beginning on October 1, 2018, and ending on September 
30, 2019, to utilize the Special Need funding. Funds unexpended after 
the September 30, 2019, deadline will be de-obligated.
    Funding Restrictions: No part of a Special Need grant may be used 
for any purpose that would significantly change the scope of the 
specific GPD project for which a capital GPD was awarded. As a part of 
the review process, VA will review the original project and subsequent 
approved program changes of the previous FY 2016 Original Special Need 
applications and the FY 2018 renewal applications, to ensure 
significant scope changes have not occurred, displacing other homeless 
Veteran populations.

    Note:  Changes to the Special Need population the applicant 
currently serves will not be allowed.

    Special Need funding may not be used for capital improvements, or 
to purchase vans or real property. However, the leasing of vans or real 
property may be acceptable. Questions regarding acceptability should be 
directed to VA's National GPD Program Office at the number listed in 
Contact Information. Applicants may not receive Special Need funding to 
replace funds provided by any Federal, state, or local Government 
agency or program to assist homeless persons.

Eligibility Information

    To be eligible, an applicant must be a currently operational FY 
2018 VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Special Need Grant recipient 
with or without a collaborative VA Special Need partner. If the 
applicant was not funded under the VA Homeless Providers GPD Program 
NOFA published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2016, 81 FR 
94487-94494, they will be deemed ineligible for an award under this 
NOFA as the applicant must have an operational VA Homeless Providers 
GPD grant on October 1, 2018, in order to receive Special Need funding. 
Furthermore, if the applicant currently has a collaborative project and 
its VA partner no longer wishes to continue, the applicant will be 
ineligible for an award under this NOFA.
    Cost Sharing or Matching: None.

Application Requirements and Submission Information

    Content and Form of Application: Applicants should ensure that they 
include all required documents in their application and carefully 
follow the format described below. Submission of an incorrect, 
incomplete, or incorrectly formatted application package will result in 
the application being rejected at the beginning of the process. 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 Special Need applicants.

Application Documentation Required

    1. Letter from Applicant: Applicants must submit a letter on their 
organization's letterhead stating their intent to apply for renewal 
funding and agreement for VA to evaluate their previously awarded FY 
2016 Special Need application and FY 2018 renewal application for 
scoring purposes. In addition, the letter must state the model

[[Page 22581]]

(see listing below) to which that application will be linked and that 
the applicant agrees, as a condition of funding under this NOFA, that 
they will provide the services as outlined in that application, along 
with any VA-approved changes in scope, and that the applicant's FY 2016 
required forms and certifications still apply for the period of this 
award.
    Models: Bridge Housing; Low Demand; Clinical Treatment; Hospital to 
Housing; or Service Intensive Transitional Housing.
    2. Performance Goals: Applicants must submit documentation of the 
applicant meeting the performance goals as stated in the FY 2016 
original grant Special Need application and carried forward to their FY 
2018 renewal application, as evidenced by their last VA project 
inspection.
    3. Letter from VA Collaborative Partner (if applicable): If the FY 
2016 Special Need grant was a collaborative grant, the applicant must 
submit an updated letter of commitment, or an updated Memorandum of 
Agreement (MOA) from the VA collaborative partner stating that VA will 
continue to meet its objectives, or provide its duties as outlined in 
the original MOA in FY 2016. Note: If the applicant currently has a 
collaborative project and its VA partner no longer wishes to continue 
then the applicant will be ineligible for an award under this NOFA.
    Other Submission Requirements: None.
    Submission Dates and Times: An original signed and dated 
application package, including all required documents, must be received 
in the GPD Program Office, VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Office, 
10770 N 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida, 33617; by 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time on Friday, June 22, 2018.
    Applications must be received by the application deadline. 
Applications must arrive as a complete package, to include VA 
collaborative partner materials (see Application Requirements). 
Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application 
package for consideration and may result in the application being 
rejected or not funded.
    In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, this 
deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA will treat any application 
that is received after the deadline as ineligible for consideration. 
Applicants should take this firm deadline into account and make early 
submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
as a result of unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.
    Applications must be physically delivered (e.g., in person, or via 
United States Postal Service, FedEx, United Parcel Service, or any 
other type of courier). The VA GPD Program Office staff will accept the 
application and date stamp it immediately at the time of arrival. This 
is the date and time that will determine if the deadline is met for 
those types of delivery.
    DO NOT fax or email the application as it will be treated as 
ineligible for consideration.

Application Review Information

    A. Criteria for Special Need Grants: Rating criteria may be found 
at 38 CFR 61.40.
    B. Review and Selection Process: Review and selection process may 
be found at 38 CFR 61.40.
    Selections will be made based on criteria described in the FY 2016 
application and additional information as specified in this NOFA.
    Award Notice: Although subject to change, the GPD Program Office 
expects to announce grant awards during the late fourth quarter of FY 
2018 (September). The initial announcement will be made via news 
release which will be posted on VA's National GPD Program website at 
www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Following the initial announcement, the 
GPD Office will mail notification letters to the grant recipients. 
Applicants who are not selected will be mailed a declination letter 
within 2 weeks of the initial announcement.
    Administrative and National Policy: It is important to be aware 
that VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA 
has procedures in place to monitor services provided to homeless 
Veterans and outcomes associated with the services provided in grant 
and per diem-funded programs. Applicants should be aware of the 
following:
    Awardees will be required to support their request for payments 
with adequate fiscal documentation as to income and expenses.
    All awardees that are selected in response to this NOFA must meet 
the requirements of the current edition of the Life Safety Code of the 
National Fire Protection Association as it relates to their specific 
facility. Applicants should note that all facilities are to be 
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system unless a 
facility is specifically exempted under the Life Safety Code. 
Applicants should consider this when submitting their grant 
applications, as no additional funds will be made available for capital 
improvements under this NOFA.
    Each program receiving Special Need funding will have a liaison 
appointed from a nearby VA medical facility to provide oversight and 
monitor services provided to homeless Veterans in the program.
    Monitoring will include at a minimum, a quarterly review of each 
per diem program's progress toward meeting performance goals, including 
the applicant's internal goals and objectives in helping Veterans 
attain housing stability, adequate income support, and self-sufficiency 
as identified in each per diem program's original application. 
Monitoring will also include a review of the agency's income and 
expenses as they relate to this project to ensure payment is accurate.
    Each funded program will participate in VA's national program 
monitoring and evaluation as these monitoring procedures will be used 
to determine successful accomplishment of these housing outcomes for 
each per diem-funded program.
    Applicants with questions regarding the funding from previous 
Special Need awards should contact the VA Homeless Providers GPD 
Program Office prior to application.
    A full copy of the regulations governing the GPD Program is 
available at the GPD website at http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp.
    For Further Information Contact: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, 
VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 10770 N 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida, 
33617; (toll-free) 1-(877) 332-0334.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of VA. Peter M. O'Rourke approved this document on 
May 9, 2018, for publication.

    Dated: May 10, 2018.
Michael Shores,
Director, Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-10311 Filed 5-14-18; 8:45 am]
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