[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8098-8101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02769]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Availability: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of 1-year renewal funding for the 11 currently operational 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 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 services to the

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homeless Special Need Veteran population. This NOFA contains 
information concerning the program, application process, and amount of 
funding available.

DATES: February 12, 2020.
    An original, signed, dated, and completed 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 April 
27, 2020. (See application requirements below.)
    Applications may not be sent by facsimile or email. In the interest 
of fairness to all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to 
date and time, and VA will treat any application 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 risk of ineligibility due to unanticipated delays or other 
delivery-related problems.
    Applications must be physically delivered (e.g., in person, or by 
U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, United Parcel Service, or any other type of 
courier). The VA GPD National 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 
these types of deliveries.

ADDRESSES: An original signed, dated, completed, and collated grant 
renewal application and all required associated documents must be 
submitted to the following address: VA National Grant and Per Diem 
Program Office, 10770 North 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: Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, Grant/
Per Diem, (673/GPD), VA National Grant and Per Diem Program Office, 
10770 North 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617, 1 (877) 
332-0334. (This is a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Funding Opportunity Title: Grant and Per Diem Special Need Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Renewal.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-GPD-SN-FY2020.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.024, VA Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose: This NOFA announces the availability of funds to 
provide 1-year funding assistance under VA's Homeless Providers GPD 
Program for the 11 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 Need homeless Veteran populations:
    (1) Women;
    (2) Chronically mentally ill; or
    (3) Individuals who have care of minor dependents.
    B. Definitions: Section 61.1 of title 38, Code of Federal 
Regulations contains definitions of terms used in the GPD Program. 
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.
    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.
    C. Eligibility Information: To be eligible, an applicant must be a 
currently operational FY 2020 VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Special 
Need Grant recipient with or without a collaborative VA Special Need 
partner, who was awarded this grant based on the NOFA published in the 
Federal Register on April 22, 2019, 84 FR 16762. 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.
    D. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
    E. Authority: 38 United States Code Sec. Sec.  [thinsp]2011, 2012, 
2061, as implemented in regulation at 38 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) 61.

II. Award Information

    A. Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of 1-year renewal 
funding for use in FY 2021 for the 11 currently operational FY 2020 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.
    B. Funding Priorities: None.
    C. 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, 2020 and 
ending on September 30, 2021. 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 2020 funds availability; the 
recipient meeting the performance goals as stated in the grant 
application; statutory and regulatory requirements; and annual 
inspections.

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    Applicants should ensure their funding requests and operational 
costs are based on the 12-month period above and should be in line with 
expenditures from the prior year. Requests cannot exceed the amount 
obligated under their FY 2020 award. Applicants should note unexpended 
funding from FY 2020 awards will be deobligated.
    D. 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 of the conditions for grant award within the specified timeframe, 
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.
    E. Grant Award Period: Applicants that are selected will have a 
maximum of 1 year beginning on October 1, 2020, and ending on September 
30, 2021, to utilize the Special Need funding. Funds unexpended after 
the September 30, 2021, deadline will be deobligated.
    F. 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 2020 renewal grants 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.

III. Application 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.

IV. Application Documentation Required

    A. Letter from Applicant: Applicants must submit a letter on their 
organization letterhead stating the intent to apply for renewal funding 
and agreement for VA to evaluate their previously awarded FY 2016 
Special Need application and FY 2020 renewal grant for scoring 
purposes. In addition, the letter must state the model (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.
    B. Models: Bridge Housing; Low Demand; Clinical Treatment; Hospital 
to Housing; or Service Intensive Transitional Housing.
    C. 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 
2020 renewal grant, as evidenced by their last VA project inspection.
    D. 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.
    E. Other Submission Requirements: None.
    F. Submission Dates and Times: An original, signed, and dated 
application package, including all required documents, must be received 
in the GPD Program Office: VA National Grant and Per Diem Program 
Office, 10770 North 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, Florida 33617, by 
4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the application deadline date.
    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.

V. 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.
    C. Award Notice: Although subject to change, the GPD Program Office 
expects to announce grant awards during the late fourth quarter of FY 
2020 (September). The initial announcement will be made by 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 Program 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.
    D. 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:
    (1) Awardees will be required to support their request for payments 
with adequate fiscal documentation as to income and expenses.
    (2) 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

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funds will be made available for capital improvements under this NOFA.
    (3) 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.
    (4) Monitoring will include at a minimum, a quarterly review of 
each GPD grantee'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 GPD grantee'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 the VA's national program 
monitoring and evaluation as these monitoring procedures will be used 
to determine successful accomplishment of these housing outcomes for 
each GPD-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.

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 the Department of Veterans Affairs. Pamela 
Powers, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on February 6, 2020, for publication.

Luvenia Potts,
Regulation Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy & 
Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-02769 Filed 2-11-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P