[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65119-65126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23448]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Opportunity Under Supportive Services for Veteran 
Families 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 funds for supportive services grants under the 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This Notice of 
Funding Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the SSVF 
Program; the renewal and new applicant supportive services grant 
application processes; and the amount of funding available. Awards made 
for supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 
1, 2023. Grant awards may be renewed for up to 3 years pending the 
availability of funds and grantee performance.

DATES: Applications for supportive services grants under the SSVF 
Program must be received by the SSVF Program Office by 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time on February 10, 2023. 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 submissions of their materials to avoid any risk 
of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, computer 
service outages or other submission-related problems.

ADDRESSES: 
    Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the application can be 
downloaded from the SSVF website at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf. Questions 
may be referred to the SSVF Program Office via email at [email protected]. 
For detailed SSVF Program information and requirements, see part 62 of 
Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR part 62).
    Submission of Application Package: Applicants must submit 
applications electronically following instructions found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf. Applications may not be mailed, hand-carried or sent by 
facsimile (FAX). Applications must be received in the SSVF Program 
Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the application deadline date. 
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. See 
Section II.B. and II.C. of this NOFA for maximum allowable grant 
amounts.
    Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical 
assistance with the preparation of a renewal supportive services grant 
application is available on the SSVF Program website at www.va.gov/
HOMELESS/SSVF.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Kuhn, National Director, 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families, by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Funding Opportunity Title: Supportive Services for Veteran Families 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SSVF-103121.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.033, VA 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose: The SSVF Program's purpose is to provide supportive 
services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer 
cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very 
low-income Veteran families who (i) are residing in permanent housing 
and at risk of becoming homeless, (ii) are homeless and scheduled to 
become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period or 
(iii) after exiting permanent housing within a specified time period, 
are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income 
Veteran family's needs and preferences. SSVF delivers services using a 
housing-first approach that emphasizes permanent housing placement as 
the primary objective. Housing First is an evidence-based, cost-
effective approach to ending homelessness for the most vulnerable and 
chronically homeless individuals (see https://www.va.gov/homeless/nchav/models/housing-first.asp).
    SSVF prioritizes the delivery of rapid re-housing services to 
homeless Veteran households. Rapid re-housing is an intervention 
designed to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness, 
return to housing in the community and avoid homelessness again in the 
near term. The core components of a rapid re-housing program are 
housing identification, move-in and rent financial assistance and rapid 
re-housing case management and services. These core components 
represent the minimum that a program must be provided to households to 
be considered a rapid re-housing program. For more information about 
SSVF's core components, including the role Housing First plays in rapid 
re-housing interventions see https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts.
    B. Funding Priorities: The principal goal of this NOFA is to seek 
entities that have the greatest capacity to end homelessness among 
Veterans or sustain gains made in ending homelessness among Veterans. 
Priority will be given to grantees who can demonstrate adoption of 
evidence-based practices in their application (for more information 
about evidence-based practices go to, https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts). Under Priority 1, VA will provide funding to those 
existing grantees with 3-year accreditation from the Commission on 
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Employment and 
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards, 
a 4-year accreditation in Housing Stabilization and Community Living 
Services from the Council on Accreditation's (COA) or a 3-year 
accreditation in The Joint Commission's (JC) Behavioral Health Care: 
Housing Support Services Standards. Priority 2 includes existing 
grantees not included in Priority 1 but who have annual awards and are 
seeking to renew their grants. Existing grantees are SSVF grantees that 
have a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for operations through September 
30, 2023. Priority 3 and Priority 4 applications will be accepted from 
new applicants as described herein at Section II.B.
    C. Definitions: Part 62 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 
(38 CFR part 62), contains definitions of terms used in the SSVF 
Program. In addition to the definitions and requirements described in 
38 CFR part 62, this NOFA provides additional resources to secure 
permanent housing. These resources

[[Page 65120]]

may be provided by the SSVF grantee under 38 CFR 62.34 to assist 
Veterans in remaining in or obtaining permanent housing. Grantees will 
be allowed to provide up to the equivalent of 2 months' rent to 
landlords under 38 CFR 62.34(g) as a resource for any lease of not less 
than 1 year when necessary to assist a Veteran in remaining in or 
obtaining permanent housing. An example of when such a resource could 
be used is when a landlord incentive is required to facilitate leasing 
of rental units to tenants with significant housing barriers. Landlords 
are less likely to lease to certain groups due to the risk of non-
payment of rent or concerns about damage or disruption to their 
buildings. Tenants with significant housing barriers might include 
Veterans with poor credit histories and criminal justice involvement 
that might otherwise disqualify them from obtaining a lease. Veterans 
with histories of sex offenses are generally considered high-risk 
tenants by landlords.
    Veterans are sometimes reluctant to move into apartments that do 
not offer any of the comforts typically associated with living 
independently. The General Housing Stability Assistance, provided under 
38 CFR 62.34(e), while offering some funds for bedding and basic 
kitchen supplies, leaves significant needs unaddressed. Therefore, 
grantees also will be allowed to provide up to $1,000 to Veteran 
families for miscellaneous move-in expenses, under 38 CFR 62.34(g), to 
encourage them to obtain permanent housing with a lease of not less 
than 1 year. These funds are to be provided to assist Veterans through 
accounts established at local merchants, such as grocery stores and 
retailers, in the enrolled Veteran's name. These items could include, 
but are not limited to, food, furniture, household items, electronics 
(including televisions) or other items typically associated with 
independent living in permanent housing. Furthermore, internet or cable 
bills can now be considered as utilities as the definition for 
financial assistance as utility payments under 38 CFR 62.34(b) is 
expected with this NOFA to include these charges. Access to the 
internet is an essential component of the modern economy, comparable to 
utilities. Veterans without such access are put at a disadvantage in 
finding and applying for work opportunities, purchasing needed consumer 
goods at the lowest possible cost and communicating through email and 
other forms of social media.
    In addition to the definitions and requirements described in 38 CFR 
part 62, this NOFA provides further clarification in this paragraph on 
the use of Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA). EHA may be provided by 
the SSVF grantee under 38 CFR 62.34(f) to offer transition in place 
when a permanent housing voucher, such as is offered through the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 8 program, 
is available from any source, but access to the permanent housing 
voucher is pending completion of the housing inspection and 
administrative processes necessary for leasing. In such circumstances, 
the EHA payment cannot exceed what would otherwise be paid when the 
voucher is used. EHA also may be used as part of Rapid Resolution, also 
known as a diversion or problem-solving service, that helps Veteran 
households avoid entry into homelessness through placements with family 
or friends. EHA also may be used as an outreach tool to engage and 
offer housing to unsheltered homeless Veterans with significant housing 
needs who refuse to access traditional emergency shelter services in 
the community.
    D. Approach: Respondents to this NOFA should base their proposals 
and applications on the current requirements of part 62. Grantees will 
be expected to leverage supportive services grant funds to enhance the 
housing stability of very low-income Veteran families who are occupying 
permanent housing. In doing so, grantees are required to establish 
relationships with local community resources. Therefore, agencies must 
work through coordinated partnerships built either through formal 
agreements or the informal working relationships commonly found among 
successful social service providers.
    Through this NOFA, grantees can pay fees related to securing a 
lease of at least 1 year. In addition, as noted previously herein, 
Veterans are sometimes reluctant to move into apartments that do not 
offer any of the comforts typically associated with living 
independently. Pursuant to this NOFA, grantees would be able to use 
funds for miscellaneous expenses associated with moving into a new 
home. Moreover, nationally, the median average rental unit increased in 
price by 18%, far exceeding increases in wages or income for those 
dependent on Veteran benefits, social security or other entitlements. 
Furthermore, service-connected Veterans with high levels of disability 
may have incomes that exceed the current SSVF income threshold of 50% 
of the area median income. These Veterans, some of the most vulnerable 
served by the VA, can be left ineligible for critically needed SSVF 
services. As a result, VA is invoking the provision in 38 U.S.C. 
2044(f)(6)(C) and 38 CFR 62.2, allowing VA to establish an income 
ceiling higher or lower than 50% of the median income for an area if VA 
determines that such variations are necessary because the area has 
unusually high or low construction costs, fair market rents (as 
determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437f)) or family incomes. Area median income (AMI) is one-
factor SSVF uses to establish eligibility. A higher income ceiling, as 
reflected by the AMI, will allow grantees to serve Veterans who have 
endured significant increases in their housing cost burden placing them 
at greater risk for homelessness. For purposes of this NOFA, grantees 
will be able to serve Veterans in the communities who have up to 80% of 
the AMI. HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) eligibility also has an 
income limit of 80% of medium income. Aligning SSVF and HUD-VASH 
eligibility will allow SSVF grantees' housing navigators to assist 
Veterans eligible for HUD-VASH as necessary with identifying and 
obtaining permanent housing. Aligning SSVF and HUD-VASH eligibility 
will also improve the coordination of care and simplify and standardize 
eligibility determinations.
    Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide letters of support 
from the Continuums of Care (CoC) in the location where they plan to 
deliver services, reflecting the applicant's engagement in the CoC's 
efforts to coordinate services. A CoC is a community plan to organize 
and deliver housing and services to meet the needs of people who are 
homeless as they move to stable housing and maximize self-sufficiency. 
The CoC includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return 
to homelessness. CoC locations and contact information can be found at 
https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts/?params=%7B%22limit%22%3A20%2C%22sort%22%3A%22%22%2C%22order%22%3A%22%22%2C%22years%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22searchTerm%22%3A%22%22%2C%22grantees%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22state%22%3A%22%22%2C%22programs%22%3A%5B3%5D%2C%22coc%22%3Atrue%7D##granteeSearch.
    The CoC's letter of support should note if the applicant is 
providing assistance to the CoC in building local capacity to build 
Coordinated Entry Systems (CES) and the value and form of that 
assistance, whether support is

[[Page 65121]]

direct funding or staffing. CES requires that providers operating 
within the CoC's geographic area must also work together to ensure the 
CoC's coordinated entry process allows for coordinated screening, 
assessment and referrals (HUD Notice: CPD-17-01). The CoC's letter of 
support also must describe the applicant's participation in the CoC's 
community planning efforts. Failure for a Priority 1 or Priority 2 
applicant to provide a letter of support from the CoC as described will 
limit the maximum award to 90% of the award made in the previous fiscal 
year (FY) as described herein at II.C.7. Failure for a Priority 3 
applicant to provide a letter of support from the CoC as described will 
disqualify the applicant from funding consideration unless the 
applicant can demonstrate that the CoC is unable to provide such a 
letter for this application. In addition, any applicant proposing to 
serve an Indian Tribal area is strongly encouraged to provide a letter 
of support from the relevant Indian Tribal Government. Priority 4 
applicants are not required to submit a CoC letter of support.
    The aim of the provision of supportive services is to assist very 
low-income Veteran families residing in permanent housing to remain 
stably housed and to rapidly transition those not currently in 
permanent housing to stable housing. SSVF emphasizes the placement of 
homeless Veteran families who are described in 38 CFR 62.11(b)-(c) as 
follows:
    (b)(1) Is lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime 
residence, meaning:
    (i) That the Veteran family's primary nighttime residence is a 
public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a 
regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, 
abandoned bus or train station, airport or camping ground,
    (ii) That the Veteran family is living in a supervised publicly or 
privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living 
arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing and 
hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by Federal, 
State or local government programs for low-income individuals) or
    (iii) That the Veteran family is exiting an institution where the 
Veteran family resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an 
emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately 
before entering that institution,
    (b)(2) Are at risk to remain in the situation described herein at 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section but for the grantee's assistance and
    (b)(3) Scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within 
90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for 
permanent housing or
    (c) Has met any of the conditions described herein at paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section after exiting permanent housing within the 
previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to the very 
low-income Veteran family's needs and preferences.
    Assistance in obtaining or retaining permanent housing is a 
fundamental goal of the SSVF Program. Case management supporting 
permanent housing should include tenant counseling, mediation with 
landlords and outreach to landlords.
    E. Authority: Funding available under this NOFA is authorized by 38 
U.S.C. 2044. VA implements the SSVF Program through regulations in 38 
CFR part 62. Funds made available under this NOFA are subject to the 
requirements of these regulations.
    F. Requirements for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: The 
applicant's request for funding must be consistent with the limitations 
and uses of supportive services grant funds set forth in 38 CFR part 62 
and this NOFA. In accordance with 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA, the 
following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded 
under this NOFA:
    1. Grantees may use a maximum of 10% of supportive services grant 
funds for administrative costs identified in 38 CFR 62.70(e).
    2. Grantees must enroll a minimum of 60% of Veteran households who 
are literally homeless and qualify under 38 CFR 62.11(b). (Note: 
Grantees may request a waiver to decrease this minimum, as discussed 
herein at section V.B.3.a.)
    3. Grantees are required to have available temporary financial 
assistance resources that can be paid directly to a third party on 
behalf of a participant and may be used for childcare, emergency 
housing assistance, transportation, rental assistance, utility-fee 
payment assistance, security deposits, utility deposits, moving costs 
and general housing stability assistance (which includes emergency 
supplies) and as otherwise stated in 38 CFR 62.33 and 38 CFR 62.34.
    4. Grantees are able to provide up to $1,000 supplemental 
assistance to every Veteran household who obtains a lease of not less 
than 1 year to cover miscellaneous move-in expenses.
    5. Grantees are able to pay landlords up to an amount equal to 2 
months' rent for fees related to securing a lease of at least 1 year. 
This incentive may be provided at lease-up or split up into multiple 
payments during the course of the lease (for example one month payment 
at lease-up and one month payment at six months after lease-up).
    G. Guidance for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: 
Grantees are expected to demonstrate adoption of evidence-based 
practices most likely to prevent and lead to reductions in 
homelessness. As part of their application, the applying organization's 
Executive Director must certify on behalf of the agency that they will 
actively participate in community planning efforts and operate the 
program in a manner consistent with core concepts found at https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ssvf-coreconcepts. Housing is not contingent 
on compliance with mandated therapies or services; instead, 
participants must comply with a standard lease agreement and be 
provided with the services and supports that are necessary to help them 
do so successfully.
    Grantees must develop plans that will ensure that Veteran 
participants have the level of income and economic stability needed to 
remain in permanent housing after the conclusion of the SSVF 
intervention. Both employment and benefits assistance from VA and non-
VA sources represent a significantly underutilized source of income 
stability for homeless Veterans. Income is not a pre-condition for 
housing. Case management should include income maximization strategies 
to ensure households have access to benefits, employment and financial 
counseling. The complexity of program rules and the stigma some 
associate with entitlement programs contribute to their lack of use. 
For this reason, grantees are encouraged to consider strategies that 
can lead to prompt and successful access to employment and benefits 
that are essential to retaining housing. Consistent with 38 CFR 62.30-
62.34, grantees are expected to offer the following supportive 
services: counseling participants about housing; assisting participants 
in understanding leases; securing utilities; making moving 
arrangements; providing representative payee services concerning rent 
and utilities when needed; using health care navigation services to 
help participants access health and mental health care; providing legal 
services; and providing mediation and outreach to property owners 
related to locating or retaining housing. Grantees also may assist 
participants by providing rental assistance; security or utility 
deposits; moving costs; emergency housing; or general housing stability 
assistance; or using other Federal resources, such as

[[Page 65122]]

the HUD Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) or supportive services 
grant funds subject to the limitations described in this NOFA and 38 
CFR 62.34.
    1. As SSVF is a short-term crisis intervention, grantees must 
develop plans that will produce sufficient income or supports to 
sustain Veteran participants in permanent housing after the conclusion 
of the initial SSVF intervention. Grantees must ensure the availability 
of employment and vocational services either through the direct 
provision of these services or their availability through formal or 
informal service agreements. Agreements with Homeless Veteran 
Reintegration Programs (HVRP) funded by the U.S. Department of Labor 
are strongly encouraged. Applicants who also administer HVRP grants in 
the same area served by their SSVF grant will be given a 5-point bonus 
to their Section A application score. For participants unable to work 
due to disability, income must be established through available 
benefits programs.
    2. Per 38 CFR 62.33, grantees must assist participants in obtaining 
public benefits. Grantees must screen all participants for eligibility 
for a broad range of entitlements such as the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services' (HHS) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, 
Social Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program, the HHS Low-Income Home Energy Assistance 
Program, the Earned Income Tax Credit and local General Assistance 
programs. Grantees are expected to access the Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administration's Supplemental Security Income/
Social Security Disability Insurance Outreach, Access, and Recovery 
(SOAR) program directly by training staff and providing the service or 
subcontracting services to an organization to provide SOAR services. In 
addition, where available, grantees should access information 
technology tools to support case managers in their efforts to link 
participants to benefits.
    3. In accordance with 38 CFR 62.33(g), grantees must directly 
provide, either by in-house counsel or through contract services, legal 
services relevant to issues that interfere with the participants' 
ability to obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services. 
(Note: Information regarding legal services provided may be protected 
from being released to the grantee or VA under attorney-client 
privilege, although the grantee must provide sufficient information to 
demonstrate the frequency and type of service delivered.) Support for 
legal services can include paying for court filing fees to assist a 
participant with issues that interfere with the participant's ability 
to obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services, including 
issues that affect the participant's employability and financial 
security. Grantees (in addition to employees and members of grantees) 
may represent participants before VA with respect to a claim for VA 
benefits, but only if they are recognized for that purpose pursuant to 
38 U.S.C. Chapter 59. Further, the individual providing such 
representation must be accredited pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 59.
    4. Access to mental health and addiction services is required by 
SSVF; however, grantees cannot fund these services directly through the 
SSVF grant. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to promote rapid 
access to and engagement with mental health and addiction services for 
the Veteran and family members. Grantees are required to hire staff who 
will provide health care navigation services that aid participants in 
accessing these health and mental health care services.
    5. When serving participants who are residing in permanent housing, 
the defining question to ask is: ``Would this individual or family be 
homeless but for this assistance?'' The grantee must use a VA-approved 
screening tool with criteria that target those most at risk of 
homelessness. To qualify for SSVF services, a participant who is served 
under 38 CFR 62.11(a) (homeless prevention) must not have sufficient 
resources or support networks (e.g., family, friends, faith-based or 
other social networks) immediately available to prevent them from 
becoming homeless. To further qualify for services under 38 CFR 
62.11(a), the grantee must document that the participant meets at least 
one of the following conditions:
    (a) Has moved because of economic reasons two or more times during 
the 60 days immediately preceding the application for homelessness 
prevention assistance,
    (b) Is living in the home of another because of economic hardship,
    (c) Has been notified in writing that their right to occupy their 
current housing or living situation will be terminated within 21 days 
after the date of application for assistance,
    (d) Lives in a hotel or motel, and the cost of the hotel or motel 
stay is not paid by charitable organizations or by Federal, State or 
local government programs for low-income individuals,
    (e) Is exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care 
(such as a health care facility, a mental health facility or 
correctional institution) without a stable housing plan or
    (f) Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated 
with instability and an increased risk of homelessness, as identified 
in the recipient's approved screening tool.
    6. SSVF grantees are required to participate in local planning 
efforts designed to end Veteran homelessness. Grantees may use grant 
funds to support SSVF involvement in such community planning by sub-
contracting with CoCs, when such funding is essential, to create or 
sustain the development of these data driven plans.
    7. When other funds from community resources are not readily 
available to assist program participants, grantees may choose to use 
supportive services grants, to the extent described in this NOFA and in 
38 CFR 62.33 and 62.34, to provide temporary financial assistance. Such 
assistance may, subject to the limitations in this NOFA and 38 CFR part 
62, be paid directly to a third party on behalf of a participant for 
childcare; transportation; family emergency housing assistance; rental 
assistance; utility-fee payment assistance; security or utility 
deposits; moving costs; and general housing stability assistance as 
necessary.
    8. SSVF requires grantees to offer Rapid Resolution (also known as 
diversion or problem solving) services. These services engage Veterans 
immediately before or after they become homeless and assist them to 
avoid continued homelessness. These efforts can reduce the trauma and 
expense associated with extended periods of homelessness, and the 
strain on the crisis response and affordable housing resources in the 
community. Through Rapid Resolution, the grantee and the Veteran 
explore safe, alternative housing options immediately before or quickly 
after they become homeless. Rapid Resolution can identify an immediate 
safe place to stay within the Veteran's network of family, friends or 
other social networks. All Veterans requesting SSVF services should 
have a Rapid Resolution screening and if not appropriate for Rapid 
Resolution grantees should then assess the Veteran for other SSVF 
services. More information about Rapid Resolution can be found at 
www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.

II. Award Information

    A. Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of funds for 
supportive services grants under the SSVF Program and pertains to 
proposals for renewal of existing supportive services grant programs.

[[Page 65123]]

    B. Funding: The funding priorities for this NOFA are as follows.
    1. Priority 1. Under Priority 1, VA will provide funding to those 
existing grantees with 3-year CARF accreditations in Employment and 
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards, 
4-year COA accreditations in Housing Stabilization and Community Living 
Services or 3-year JC accreditations in Behavioral Health Care: Housing 
Support Services Standards. Proof of accreditation must be submitted 
with the application no later than the application due date. Grantees 
previously awarded a 3-year grant that is not scheduled to end by 
September 30, 2023, cannot apply under this NOFA but are required to 
submit a letter of intent (LOI) by the NOFA deadline indicating their 
intention of continuing SSVF services in FY 2024. All grantees 
submitting a LOI must include a letter of support from the CoC (see 
Section II.C.7.) and a proposed budget for FY 2024. Priority 1 grantees 
submitting a LOI also must submit proof of continued accreditation. 
Based on the results of audit findings or performance concerns, VA may 
change grantees previously awarded funds as Priority 1 grantees into 
Priority 2 grantees at renewal. The reprioritized grantees would then 
be required to submit a renewal application for the FY 2025 grant year.
    2. Priority 2. Priority 2 includes other existing grantees seeking 
to renew their annual grant awards. Both Priority 1 and Priority 2 
applicants must apply using the renewal application. To be eligible for 
renewal of a supportive services grant, the Priority 1 and Priority 2 
applicants' program must be substantially the same as the program of 
the grantees' current grant award. Renewal applications can request 
funding that is equal to or less than their current annualized award. 
If sufficient funding is available, VA may provide an increase of up to 
75% from the previous year's award. Any funding increase, if provided, 
will be based on previous grant funding utilization and enrollment. 
Funding increases are intended to be combined into a single award that 
supports all SSVF initiatives including shallow subsidies, support for 
expanded legal services, Health Care Navigators and the new initiatives 
contained within this NOFA.
    3. Priority 3. Under Priority 3, VA will accept applications for 
new funding for any area of the country. Priority 3 applicants must 
apply using the application materials designated for new applicants. 
Eligible entities can submit only one application nationally under 
Priority 3. Any applicant applying for funding under Priority 1 or 
Priority 2 is ineligible to apply for funding under Priority 3. Funding 
for any Priority 3 applicant is limited to a maximum of $4 million per 
application and must not exceed an average cost of $9,000 per Veteran 
household served.
    4. Priority 4. VA is exploring development of a new shelter-like 
level of care within its homeless services continuum called Safe Haven 
Shelter Services (SHSS). SHSS provides vulnerable unsheltered homeless 
Veterans with low barrier to entry safe haven shelter services, with 
access to health care, case management, peer support, meal services, a 
clean environment and temporary housing assistance in a designated area 
on VA Medical Center (VAMC) campuses. One such program currently is 
operational at the Greater Los Angeles (GLA) VAMC and is called a Care 
Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (CTRS). Veterans temporarily 
housed in the CTRS need assistance to secure permanent housing. SSVF 
seeks to fund a grant of $3 million to exclusively support the CTRS 
located at the GLA VAMC. The CTRS initiative is consistent with the 
SHSS model as it offers vulnerable unsheltered homeless Veterans with 
low barrier to entry services, with access to health care, case 
management, peer support, meal services, a clean environment and 
temporary housing assistance in a designated area on VAMC campuses. 
CTRS participants are provided a private tiny shelter and access to VA 
medical and behavioral health care services, three daily meals, clean 
water, soap, bathrooms, showers and weekly laundry services during 
their program participation. The GLA VAMC site currently has 141 tiny 
shelters for Veterans, including Americans with disabilities accessible 
accommodations for those with impaired mobility.
    Veterans eligible for SSVF services also may be eligible for CTRS 
temporary housing as CTRS admissions must be homeless and eligible for 
Veterans Health Administration health care. It is expected that the 
applicant awarded the grant to support CTRS will develop service plans 
that lead to permanent housing consistent with the goals and objectives 
of SSVF. Any eligible entity is eligible to apply as a new applicant 
under Priority 4, even if also applying for funds as Priority 1, 
Priority 2, or Priority 3 applicants, using the new application form.
    C. Allocation of Funds: Funding will be awarded under this NOFA to 
existing grantees for a 1-year (Priority 2 and Priority 3) or a 3-year 
period (Priority 1) beginning October 1, 2023. The following 
requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded under this 
NOFA:
    1. In response to this NOFA, only existing grantees can apply as 
Priority 1 or Priority 2 applicants. New applicants can apply under 
Priority 3. Any eligible entity can apply as a Priority 4 applicant. 
Priority 4 funding can only be applied to a grant supporting the CTRS 
at the GLA VAMC.
    2. Priority 1 and Priority 2 renewal grant requests cannot exceed 
the current award.
    3. Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants may request an amount less 
than their current award (this will not be considered a substantial 
change to the program).
    4. If a grantee failed to use all of awarded funds in FY 2021 or 
had unspent funds returned to VA in FY 2022, VA may elect to limit the 
renewal award to the amount of funds used in the previous fiscal year 
or in the current fiscal less the money swept.
    5. If, during the course of the grant year, VA determines that 
grantee spending is not meeting the following minimum percentage 
milestones, VA may elect to recoup projected unused funds and reprogram 
such funds to provide supportive services in areas with higher need. 
Should VA elect to recoup unspent funds, reductions in available grant 
funds would take place the first business day following the end of the 
quarter. VA may elect to recoup funds under the following 
circumstances:
    (a) By the end of the first quarter (December 31, 2023) of the 
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, the 
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds are 
less than an amount equal to 15% of total supportive services grant 
award. (During this same period, the grantee's cumulative requests for 
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 35% of the total 
supportive services grant award.)
    (b) By the end of the second quarter (March 31, 2024) of the 
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, the 
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds are 
less than an amount equal to 40% of total supportive services grant 
award. (During this same period, the grantee's cumulative requests for 
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 60% of the total 
supportive services grant award.)
    (c) By the end of the third quarter (June 30, 2024) of the 
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, the 
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds are 
less than an amount equal to

[[Page 65124]]

65% of total supportive services grant award. (During this same period, 
the grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds 
may not exceed 80% of the total supportive services grant award).
    6. Applicants should fill out separate applications for each 
supportive services funding request.
    7. Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants who fail to provide a 
letter of support from at least one of the CoCs they plan to serve will 
be eligible for renewal funding at a level no greater than 90% of their 
previous award. Priority 3 applicants must provide a letter of support 
from the CoC they are requesting funding to serve to be considered for 
an award. Applicants are responsible for determining who in each 
serviced CoC is authorized to provide such letters of support. Multi-
year grantees (Priority 1) that are only required to submit a LOI in 
response to this NOFA must also submit a letter of support from at 
least one of CoC's they plan to serve. The letter of support should 
include the following information described herein at 7a and b of this 
section. Applicants may seek an exception to this requirement if they 
submit a letter from the CoC stating that by policy they cannot provide 
a letter of support. Priority 4 applicants do not need to provide a CoC 
letter of support.
    To meet this requirement and allow the applicant to be eligible for 
full funding, letters must include:
    (a) A detailed description of the applicant's participation in the 
CoC's Coordinated Entry process or planning activities and overall 
community planning efforts (for example, confirmation of applicant's 
active participation in planning coordinated entry; commitment to 
participating in coordinated entry; hours spent on CoC-sponsored 
committee or workgroup assignments; and names of said committees or 
workgroups).
    (b) The applicant's contribution to the CoC's coordinated entry 
process capacity building efforts, detailing the specific nature of 
this contribution (for example, the hours of staff time and/or the 
amount of funding provided), if such SSVF capacity has been requested 
by the CoC or otherwise has shown to be of value to the CoC.
    8. Should additional funding become available over the course of 
the grant term from funds recouped under the Award Information section 
of this Notice, from funds that are voluntarily returned by grantees, 
from funds that become available due to a grant termination or from 
other funds still available for grant awards, VA may elect to offer 
these funds to grantees in areas where demand has exceeded available 
SSVF resources. Additional funds will be provided first to the highest 
scoring grantee in the selected area who is in compliance with their 
grant agreement and has the capacity to use the additional funds.
    D. Supportive Services Grant Award Period: Priority 2, Priority 3 
and Priority 4 grants are made for a 1-year period, although some 
grantees may be eligible to apply as Priority 1 and could be selected 
for a 3-year award, if they meet the criteria described herein at 
section VI.C.6. All grants are eligible to be renewed subject to the 
availability of funding.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants: For Priority 1 and Priority 2, only 
eligible entities who are existing grantees with grants scheduled to 
end by September 30, 2023, can apply in response to this NOFA. For 
Priority 3, eligible entities may apply for up to one new award 
nationally. Priority 3 applicants also cannot apply for awards under 
Priority 1 or Priority 2. The maximum request under Priority 3 is $4 
million and applicants cannot propose a budget that exceeds a cost of 
$9,000 per Veteran household served. Priority 4 applicants can request 
up to $3 million to serve the CTRS at the GLA VAMC.
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Obtaining an Application Package: Applications are located at 
www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf. Any questions regarding this process may be 
referred to the SSVF Program Office via email at [email protected]. For 
detailed SSVF Program information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 62.
    B. Content and Form of Application: Applicants must submit 
applications electronically following instructions found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.
    C. Submission Dates and Times: Applications for supportive services 
grants under the SSVF Program must be received by the SSVF Program 
Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 10, 2023. Awards made for 
supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 1, 
2023. 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. In 
addition, 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 materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
brought about by unanticipated delays, computer service outages, or 
other delivery-related problems.
    D. Funding Restrictions: Funding will be awarded for existing 
supportive services grants under this NOFA depending on funding 
availability. Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants should fill out 
separate applications for each supportive services funding request. 
Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants must use applications designated 
for renewal applicants. Priority 3 and Priority 4 applicants must 
submit an application designated for new applicants. Funding will be 
awarded under this NOFA to existing grantees and new applicants 
beginning October 1, 2023.
    1. Funding used for staff education and training cannot exceed 1% 
of the overall program grant award. This limitation does not include 
the cost to attend VA mandated training. All training costs must be 
directly related to the provision of services to homeless Veterans and 
their families.
    2. Expenses related to maintaining accreditation are allowable. 
Grantees are allowed to include expenses for seeking initial 
accreditation only once in a 5-year period. The expenses to renew full 
accreditation are allowed and are based on the schedule of the 
accrediting agency: for example, every 3 years for CARF and every 4 
years for COA. Expenses related to the renewal of less than full 
accreditation are not allowed.
    E. Other Submission Requirements:
    1. Existing applicants applying for Priority 1 or Priority 2 grants 
may apply only as renewal applicants using the application designed for 
renewal grants.
    2. New applicants applying for Priority 3 or Priority 4 grants may 
apply only as new applicants using the application designed for new 
grants.
    3. At the discretion of VA, multiple grant proposals submitted by 
the same lead agency may be combined into a single grant award if the 
proposals provide services to contiguous areas.
    4. Additional supportive services grant application requirements 
are specified in the application package. Submission of an incorrect or 
incomplete application package will result in the application being 
rejected during threshold review. The application packages must contain 
all required forms and certifications. Selections will be made based on 
criteria described in 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA. Applicants and 
grantees will be notified of any additional

[[Page 65125]]

information needed to confirm or clarify information provided in the 
application and the deadline by which to submit such information. 
Applicants must submit applications electronically. Applications may 
not be mailed, hand carried or faxed.

V. Application Review Information

    A. Criteria:
    1. VA will only score applicants that meet the threshold 
requirements described in 38 CFR 62.21.
    2. VA will use the criteria described in 38 CFR 62.24 to score 
grantees applying for renewal (Priority 1 and Priority 2) of a 
supportive services grant.
    3. VA will use the criteria described in 38 CFR 62.22 to score 
grantees applying for a new supportive services grant (Priority 3 and 
Priority 4).
    B. Review and Selection Process: VA will review all supportive 
services renewal grant applications in response to this NOFA according 
to the following steps:
    1. Score all applications that meet the threshold requirements 
described in 38 CFR 62.21.
    2. Rank those applications that score at least 75 cumulative points 
and receive at least 1 point under each of the categories identified 
for renewal applicants in 38 CFR 62.24. The applications will be ranked 
in order from highest to lowest scores in accordance with 38 CFR 62.25 
for renewal applicants.
    3. VA will use the ranked scores of applications as the primary 
basis for selection. However, VA also will use the following 
considerations in 38 CFR 62.23(d) to select applicants for funding:
    (a) Give preference to applications that provide or coordinate the 
provision of supportive services for very low-income Veteran families 
transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Consistent with 
this preference applicants are required to enroll no less than 60% of 
participants who are homeless as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b) and (c). 
Rural areas and tribal areas are exempt from this requirement in areas 
defined as rural (https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/rhed/
#:~:text=HUD%20defines%20rural%20in%20three,in%20a%20Metropolitan%20Stat
istical%20Area). Other areas may seek waivers to this 60% requirement 
when grantees can demonstrate significant local progress towards 
eliminating homelessness in the target service area. Waiver requests 
must include data from authoritative sources such as point-in-time 
counts and by-name-lists indicating that a community has made 
substantial enough progress on reducing homelessness that it can shift 
additional resources to prevention. Waiver requests must include an 
endorsement by the impacted CoC explicitly stating that a shift in 
resources from rapid re-housing to prevention will not result in an 
increase in homelessness. Grantees who are exempt or receive waivers to 
this 60% requirement must still enroll no less than 40% of all 
participants who are homeless as defined in 38 CFR 62.11 (b) and (c).
    (b) To the extent practicable, ensure that supportive services 
grants are equitably distributed across geographic regions, including 
rural communities and tribal lands. This equitable distribution 
criteria will be used to ensure that SSVF resources are provided to 
those communities with the highest need as identified by VA's 
assessment of expected demand and available resources to meet that 
demand.
    4. Subject to the considerations noted previously herein at 
paragraph B.3, VA will fund the highest-ranked applicants for which 
funding is available.

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notices: Although subject to change, the SSVF Program 
Office expects to announce grant recipients for all applicants in the 
fourth quarter of FY 2023 with grants beginning October 1, 2023. Prior 
to executing a funding agreement, VA will contact the applicants, make 
known the amount of proposed funding and verify that the applicant is 
still seeking the funding. Once VA verifies that the applicant is still 
seeking funding, VA will execute an agreement and make payments to the 
grant recipient in accordance with 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: As SSVF grants 
cannot be used to fund treatment for mental health or substance use 
disorders, applicants must provide evidence that they can provide 
access to such services to all program participants through formal and 
informal agreements with community providers.
    C. Reporting: VA places great emphasis on the responsibility and 
accountability of grantees. As described in 38 CFR 62.63 and 62.71, VA 
has procedures in place to monitor supportive services provided to 
participants and outcomes associated with the supportive services 
provided under the SSVF Program. Applicants should be aware of the 
following:
    1. Upon execution of a supportive services grant agreement with VA, 
grantees will have a VA regional coordinator assigned by the SSVF 
Program Office who will provide oversight and monitor supportive 
services provided to participants.
    2. Grantees will be required to enter data into a Homeless 
Management Information System (HMIS) web-based software application. 
This data will consist of information on the participants served and 
types of supportive services provided by grantees. Grantees must treat 
the data for activities funded by the SSVF Program separate from that 
of activities funded by other programs. Grantees will be required to 
work with their HMIS Administrators to export client-level data for 
activities funded by the SSVF Program to VA on at least a monthly 
basis. The completeness and quality of grantee uploads into HMIS will 
be factored into the evaluation of their grant performance.
    3. VA will complete annual monitoring evaluations of each grantee. 
Monitoring will also include the submittal of quarterly and annual 
financial and performance reports by the grantee. The grantee will be 
expected to demonstrate adherence to the grantee's proposed program as 
described in the grantee's application. All grantees are subject to 
audits conducted by VA or its representative.
    4. Grantees will be assessed based on their ability to meet 
critical performance measures. In addition to meeting program 
requirements defined by the regulations and applicable NOFA(s), 
grantees will be assessed on their ability to place participants into 
housing and the housing retention rates of participants served. Higher 
placement for homeless participants and higher housing retention rates 
for at-risk participants are expected for very low-income Veteran 
families when compared to extremely low-income Veteran families with 
incomes below 30% of the area median income.
    5. Grantees' performance will be assessed based on their consumer 
satisfaction scores. These scores include the participation rates and 
satisfaction results of the standardized survey offered to all 
participant households.
    6. Organizations receiving renewal awards that have had ongoing 
SSVF program operation for at least 1 year (as measured from the start 
of initial SSVF services until February 10, 2023) may be eligible for a 
3-year award. Grantees meeting outcome goals defined by VA and in 
substantial compliance with their grant agreements (defined by meeting 
targets and having no outstanding corrective action plans) and who, in 
addition, receive 3-year accreditation from CARF in Employment and 
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards, 
a 4-

[[Page 65126]]

year accreditation from COA in Supported Community Living Services, or 
a 3-year accreditation in The Joint Commission's Behavioral Health 
Care: Housing Support Services Standards are eligible for a 3-year 
grant renewal subject to funding availability. (Note: Multi-year awards 
are contingent on funding availability.) If awarded a multiple year 
renewal, grantees may be eligible for funding increases as defined in 
NOFAs that correspond to years two and three of their renewal funding. 
At its discretion, VA may reduce 3-year awards to 1-year awards based 
on performance concerns or audit results.

VII. Other Information

    A. VA Goals and Objectives for Funds Awarded Under this NOFA: In 
accordance with 38 CFR 62.24(c), VA will evaluate an applicant's 
compliance with VA goals and requirements for the SSVF Program. VA 
goals and requirements include the provision of supportive services 
designed to enhance the housing stability and independent living skills 
of very low-income Veteran families occupying permanent housing across 
geographic regions and program administration in accordance with all 
applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. For purposes of this 
NOFA, VA goals and requirements also include the provision of 
supportive services designed to rapidly re-house or prevent 
homelessness among people in the following target populations who also 
meet all requirements for being part of a very low-income Veteran 
family occupying permanent housing:
    1. Veteran families earning less than 30% of area median income as 
most recently published by HUD for programs under section 8 of the U.S. 
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) (http://www.huduser.org).
    2. Veterans with at least one dependent family member.
    3. Veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation 
Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn.
    4. Veteran families located in a community, as defined by HUD's 
CoC, or a county not currently served by a SSVF grantee.
    5. Veteran families located in a community, as defined by HUD's 
CoC, where the current level of SSVF services is not sufficient to meet 
demand of Category 2 and 3 (currently homeless) Veteran families.
    6. Veteran families located in a rural area.
    7. Veteran families located on Indian Tribal Property.
    B. Payments of Supportive Services Grant Funds: Grantees will 
receive payments electronically through the HHS Payment Management 
System. Grantees will have the ability to request payments as 
frequently as they choose subject to the following limitations:
    1. During the first quarter of the grantee's supportive services 
annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative requests for 
supportive services grant funds may not exceed 35% of the total 
supportive services grant award without written approval by VA.
    2. By the end of the second quarter of the grantee's supportive 
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative 
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 60% of the 
total supportive services grant award without written approval by VA.
    3. By the end of the third quarter of the grantee's supportive 
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative 
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 80% of the 
total supportive services grant award without written approval by VA.
    4. By the end of the fourth quarter of the grantee's supportive 
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative 
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 100% of the 
total supportive services grant award.

Signing Authority

    Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on October 21, 2022, 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.

Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-23448 Filed 10-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P