The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking further action to end veteran homelessness by 2015.
This week, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the award of $100 million in grants to local organizations that aid low- income veterans and their families nationwide.
The grants will help 151 community agencies, across 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They mark a significant addition to the $60 million in support that the VA shelled out last year -- a donation which successfully aided 22,000 veterans and their families.
"We are committed to ending veteran homelessness in America," Secretary Shinseki said in a statement. "These grants will help VA and community organizations reach out and prevent at-risk veterans from losing their homes."
The grants are projected to aid around 42,000 veterans who are either homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
"The problems that lead to homelessness begin long before veterans and their families are on the streets," Secretary Shinseki explains. "By putting more resources into prevention services for those at risk of becoming homeless, we will continue to help more veterans and their families turn their lives around."
Troops and their families will receive services such as case management and assistance in obtaining benefits from homeless providers. Community-based groups will have the ability to provide temporary financial assistance for rent and utility payments, security deposits, and moving costs.
This move is part of the federal government's initiative to eradicate the problem of veteran homelessness by 2015. The VA contributed $800 million throughout the 2011 fiscal year toward programs targeted at erasing the issue.
With regards to previous headway, Secretary Shinseki explains, "Our progress in the fight against homelessness has been significant, but our work is not complete until no veteran has to sleep on the street."
The VA initially announced in December its intention to support returning troops by providing the $100 million in grants.