Homeless Programs Office Monthly Newsletter | October 2023

When you’re close to reaching a goal, sometimes you need a little extra help to achieve it. Like a baseball closer coming into the game to seal the win after the starting pitcher has left —the extra boost can make a difference in whether or not a team wins the game.

In this light, and in response to the affordable housing crisis, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program launched the Shallow Subsidy service. Think of this program like the closer in a baseball game.

Typically, the Shallow Subsidy service is targeted to Veterans who need longer-term assistance to achieve housing stability. It provides rental assistance for a specific period of time to eligible and enrolled Veterans. Through this service, the maximum amount of rental subsidy that can be given on behalf of a Veteran household is up to 50% of the lease rent.

Read the full message.

Watch: From Homeless to Housed: Stories From Native American Veterans Assisted Through VA

Many Native American Veterans experiencing homelessness are hesitant to reach out to VA for the care they need and deserve. Learning about the incredible impact of VA can help Veterans to not only exit homelessness, but to access additional resources to help them live independently and thrive. Recently, VA shared a video featuring the inspiring stories of Native American Veterans in Oklahoma who overcame homelessness after accessing services through VA’s homeless programs. See the video.

VA Recognizes World Homeless Day

Did you know that nearly 13% of the homeless adult population are Veterans? This month, VA took a moment to recognize World Homeless Day, an important occasion to create awareness around the needs of our homeless Veterans and provide the community with opportunities to help those who need it. You can learn more about World Homeless Day here.

World Mental Health Day

October 10 was World Mental Health Day, a key moment to raise overall awareness of the mental health issues that are happening around the world and to help support mental health services for those in need. Check out the World Health Organization’s webpage about the day and VA's efforts here. 

HUD and VA Award $16 Million to Aid Homeless Veterans in Securing Permanent Housing

VA and HUD awarded $16.1 million in HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers to 71 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the country. This award will help homeless Veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing. Read the press release.

Ending Veteran Homelessness Podcast: On Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing through Supportive Services for Veteran Families

On this month’s Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast, we speak with Nikki Barfield, deputy director for VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families, or SSVF, Program. Ms. Barfield talks with us about what the program is, how their new Shallow Subsidy service helps Veterans who are falling behind on their rent, and how Veterans in need can get connected for help. Listen to the episode.

The CDC recommends that all adults get an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. If it’s been at least 2 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose, you should get a single dose of the updated 2023-2024 vaccine now. This is also true if you never got a COVID-19 vaccine before.

If you have certain conditions that weaken your immune system, you may be eligible to get additional doses of the updated 2023-2024 vaccine. Ask your provider how many doses they recommend for you.

Before you go to a VA health facility to get a COVID-19 vaccine, call to make sure the facility has the vaccine you want.

VA offers flu and COVID-19 vaccines to all Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care and eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine based on CDC recommendations. Find out how to get your COVID-19 vaccine at VA.

In her role as the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Regional Coordinator, Viola White-Douglas helps grantees utilize SSVF in a way that’s helpful to their budget and the service needs of their community. Knowing that she’s helping Veterans at risk of homelessness is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.

Learn more about White-Douglas’ role as well as what inspires her to continue the work she does.

With increasing rental costs nationwide, many Veterans are feeling overwhelmed by rent payments. Did you know that Supportive Services for Veteran Families’ (SSVF) Shallow Subsidy service helps provide Veterans with rental assistance?

Shallow Subsidy service is targeted to Veterans who are rent burdened and require longer term rental assistance than is traditionally available in SSVF to maintain housing. Discover how the Shallow Subsidy service can help Veterans avoid eviction.