Notice of Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
| Published date | 19 December 2018 |
| Citation | 83 FR 65200 |
| Record Number | 2018-27465 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Veterans Affairs Department |
Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65200-65208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27465]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Notice of Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for
Veteran Families Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of fund availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the
availability of funds for supportive services grants for new applicants
and existing grantees under the Supportive Services for Veteran
Families (SSVF) Program. This Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA)
contains information concerning the SSVF Program, supportive services
grant application process. Awards made for supportive services grants
will fund operations beginning October 1, 2019.
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 22, 2019. 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 submission-related problems.
ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the
application can be downloaded from the SSVF website at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Questions should be referred to the SSVF Program
Office via email at SSVF@va.gov. 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.asp. Applications may not be mailed or sent by facsimile
(FAX). Applications must be received in the SSVF Program Office by 4:00
p.m. Eastern Standard 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
Award Information section of this NOFA for maximum allowable grant
amounts.
Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical
assistance with the preparation of a supportive services grant
application is available on the SSVF Program website at: www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Kuhn, National Director,
Supportive Services for Veteran Families, by email at SSVF@va.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Funding Opportunity Title: Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Program.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SSVF-110918.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.033, VA
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose
The SSVF Program 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 are 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 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,
financial assistance with move-in and rental expenses, and rapid re-
housing case management and services. These core components represent
the minimum that a program must be providing to households to be
considered a rapid re-housing program, but do not provide guidance for
what constitutes an effective rapid re-housing program. Applicants
should familiarize themselves with the Rapid Re-housing Performance
Benchmarks and Program Standards found on at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
Funding Priorities
The principle goal for this NOFA is to provide support to those
applicants who demonstrate the greatest capacity to end homelessness
among veterans or, in communities that have already met US Interagency
Council on Homelessness (USICH) Federal Criteria and Benchmarks, or,
alternatively, Community Solutions' Functional Zero (the latter can be
found at https://cmtysolutions.org/sites/default/files/final_zero_2016_metrics.pdf), a capacity to sustain these gains.
Priority will be given to grantees who can demonstrate adoption of
evidence-based practices in their application.
[[Page 65201]]
Under Priority 1, VA will provide funding to 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 from the Council on Accreditation's (COA) accreditation
in Housing Stabilization and Community Living Services standards, or a
3-year accreditation in The Joint Commission's (JC) Behavioral Health
Care: Housing Support Services Standards. Priority 2 includes existing
grantees seeking to renew their grants not included under Priority 1.
Under Priority 3, VA will provide non-renewable grants for a 2-year
period to eligible entities providing services to very low-income
veteran families who are occupying permanent housing in the areas of
one of the Continuums of Care (CoC) listed in the Award Information
section of this Notice. VA has designed this 2-year effort to provide a
surge of resources in communities with high need. Only existing
grantees currently providing services in an identified target community
are eligible to apply for additional funds in that target community
they currently serve under Priority 3. Priority 4 is open to new
applicants only, who are seeking to provide services in the areas of
one of the CoCs listed in the Award Information section of this Notice.
These locations have been selected based on the current unmet service
needs and the levels of Veteran homelessness, and VA also seeks to
ensure that supportive services grants are equitably distributed across
geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal lands.
Applications for Priority 3 and 4 awards must include a letter of
support from the target CoC to be considered for funding. CoC letters
of support must contain the information described in the Award
Information section of this Notice.
Note: VA is considering adding an additional rental subsidy
option for Priority 3 awards. Should VA announce this new rental
subsidy option through the publication of rulemaking that would
amend 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 62, Priority 3
awardees, as well as any other SSVF grantee providing services in a
Priority 3 target community, would have the Definitions:
Title 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 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 (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 utilized. EHA may also be used as part of a Rapid Resolution
or diversion response that helps Veteran households avoid entry into
homelessness through placements with family or friends.
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, grantees must
work through coordinated partnerships built either through formal
agreements or the informal working relationships commonly found among
successful social service providers.
As part of the application, all applicants are strongly encouraged
to provide letters of support from their respective VA Network Homeless
Coordinator (or their designee). In addition, Priority 1 and 2
applicants are strongly encouraged to provide letters of support from
the CoC where they plan to deliver services that reflect the
applicant's engagement in the CoC's efforts to coordinate services.
Priority 3 and 4 applicants are required to provide these letters from
the local CoC. Failure to provide a letter of support from the CoC as
described will limit the maximum award to 90 percent of the award made
in the previous fiscal year for Priority 1 and 2 applicants (as
described in the Award Information section of this Notice. 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.
The CoC's letter of support should note if the applicant is
providing assistance to CoC in building local capacity to build
Coordinated Entry Systems (CES) and the value and form of that
assistance, whether support is 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 should also describe the applicant's
participation in the CoC's community planning efforts.
Pursuant to 38 CFR 62.36, all grantees must participate in the
development, implementation, and ongoing operations of their local
CoC's coordinated assessment system, to include a CoC plan. A CoC plan
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 community plan includes
action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness
(CoC locations and contact information can be found at www.hudhre.nfo/
index.cfm?do=viewCocMaps).
As part of their application, the applying organization's Executive
Director must certify on behalf of the agency that they will actively
participate in CoC community planning efforts and operate the rapid re-
housing component of their SSVF grant in a manner consistent with the
Rapid Re-housing Performance Benchmarks and Program Standards found at
www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
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) to
include (i) very low-income veteran families who lack a fixed, regular
and adequate nighttime residence and are scheduled to become residents
of permanent housing within 90 days, and (ii) very low-income veteran
families who have exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days
to seek other housing that is responsive to their needs and
preferences. As a crisis intervention program, the SSVF Program is not
intended to provide long-term support for participants, nor will it be
able to address all of the financial and supportive services needs of
participants that affect housing stability. Rather, when participants
require long-term support, grantees should focus on connecting such
participants to income supports, such as employment and mainstream
Federal and community resources (e.g., HUD-VA Supportive Housing
Program, HUD Housing Choice Voucher Programs, McKinney-Vento Funded
Supportive Housing Programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy
[[Page 65202]]
Families (TANF), and Social Security Income/Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSI/SSDI), etc.) that can provide ongoing support as
required.
Assistance in obtaining or retaining permanent housing is a
fundamental goal of the SSVF Program. Grantees must provide case
management services in accordance with 38 CFR 62.31. Such case
management should include tenant counseling, mediation with landlords,
and outreach to landlords.
Authority
Funding available under this NOFA is authorized by 38 United States
Code (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.
Requirements for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds
Requirements
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 in this NOFA. In accordance with the regulations and
this NOFA, the following requirements apply to supportive services
grants awarded under this NOFA:
1. Grantees may use a maximum of 10 percent of supportive services
grant funds for administrative costs identified in 38 CFR 62.70(e).
2. Priority 1 and 2 grantees must use a minimum of 60 percent of
the temporary financial assistance portion of their supportive services
grant funds to serve very low-income veteran families who qualify under
38 CFR 62.11(b). Priority 3 and 4 applicants are required to spend no
less than 70 percent of all budgeted temporary financial assistance on
participants occupying permanent housing as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b).
(NOTE: Grantees may request a waiver to decrease this minimum, as
discussed in the Application Review Information section of this
Notice.)
3. Priority 1, 2, and 4 grantees may use a maximum of 50 percent of
supportive services grant funds to provide the supportive service of
temporary financial assistance paid directly to a third party on behalf
of a participant for child care, 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), in accordance
with 38 CFR 62.33 and 38 CFR 62.34. Priority 3 grantees must use a
minimum of 60 percent of supportive services grant funds to provide the
supportive service of temporary financial assistance, unless a waiver
is granted by the SSVF program office.
Guidance for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds
Title 38 CFR 62.2 defines Rapid re-housing as assistance offered
``without preconditions''. This is consistent with VA policy to support
a ``Housing First'' model in addressing and ending homelessness.
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 significant 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 contributes 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.
1. 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; and mediation and outreach to property
owners related to locating or retaining housing. Grantees may also
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 HUD's Emergency
Solutions Grants Program (ESG), or supportive services grant funds
subject to the limitations described in this Notice and 38 CFR 62.34.
2. As SSVF is a short-term crisis intervention, grantees must
develop plans that will produce sufficient income to sustain veteran
participants in permanent housing after the conclusion of the 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
funded by the U.S. Department of Labor are strongly encouraged. For
participants unable to work due to disability, income must be
established through available benefits programs.
3. 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 TANF, Social Security, the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and local General
Assistance programs. A description of some of these benefits programs,
including eligibility and how to access benefits, can be found at
www.benefits.gov. Grantees are expected to access the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration's SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access,
and Recovery (SOAR) program directly by training staff and providing
the service or subcontracting services to an organization to provide
SOAR services.
4. Grantees are encouraged to provide, or assist participants in
obtaining, legal services relevant to issues that interfere with the
participants' ability to obtain or retain permanent housing. (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.
5. Access to mental health and addiction services are required by
SSVF; however, grantees cannot fund these services directly through the
SSVF grant. Therefore, applicants must demonstrate, through either
formal or informal agreements, their ability to promote rapid access to
and engagement with mental health and addiction
[[Page 65203]]
services for the veteran and family members.
6. VA recognizes that extremely low-income veterans, with incomes
below 30 percent of the area median income, face greater barriers to
permanent housing placement. Grantees should consider how they can
support these participants.
7. 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 VA's homeless
prevention screening tool with criteria that targets 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 that
eligibility requirement. Documentation of one of the following
conditions would meet this requirement:
(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 VA's homeless prevention screening tool.
8. 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. Grantees may also
deploy staff to participate in CoC sanctioned Coordinated Entry
screening and assessment.
9. When other funds from community resources are not readily
available to assist program participants, grantees may choose to
utilize 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 child care, transportation, family emergency housing
assistance, rental assistance, utility-fee payment assistance, security
or utility deposits, moving costs and general housing stability
assistance as necessary.
10. SSVF expects grantees to offer Rapid Resolution (also known as
diversion) 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.asp.
Award Information
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.
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, 4-year COA accreditations, or 3-
year JC accreditations. 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
October 1, 2019, 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 2019. Grantees submitting a
LOI must include proof of continued accreditation, a letter of support
from the CoC (see Award Information section in this Notice.) and a
proposed budget for FY 2020.
2. Priority 2. Priority 2 includes all other existing grantees, not
applying under Priority 1, seeking to renew their grants.
3. Priority 3. Priority 3 applications will be accepted only from
existing grantees currently providing services in one of the
communities targeted for additional funding under this Priority.
(a) Awards are for a 2-year non-recurring period.
(b) If multiple grantees have fundable scores, VA may elect to
equally distribute funds amongst applicants regardless of the funding
request in order to strengthen overall community capacity. This
distribution of funds could occur among the top 2 or 3 scoring
applicants.
(c) If underspent, awards are subject to being recouped as per the
Other Information
(d) section of this Notice, with funding amounts annualized for the
purposes of spending calculations (for example, a 2-year award of $6
million is treated as $3 million per year). As a new award in the first
year of the award period, grants will not be subject to the Other
Information section of this Notice until the end of the third quarter.
(e) List of CoCs for purposes of Priority 3 funding.
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CoC for the following Maximum (awards cover 2-year
State areas CoC ID term)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA..................................... San Jose/Santa Clara..... CA-500 $3 million.
CA..................................... San Francisco............ CA-501 $6 million.
CA..................................... Oakland.................. CA-502 $6 million.
CA..................................... Los Angeles.............. CA-600 $6 million.
CA..................................... San Diego................ CA-601 $6 million.
[[Page 65204]]
DC..................................... District of Columbia..... DC-500 $3 million.
HI..................................... Honolulu................. HI-501 $3 million.
IL..................................... Chicago.................. IL-510 $6 million.
NY..................................... New York City............ NY-600 $6 million.
WA..................................... Seattle.................. WA-500 $6 million.
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4. Priority 4. Priority 4 applications will be accepted from new
applicants only, who are seeking to provide services in the areas of
one of the following targeted CoCs:
(a) Grant requests do not need to serve target communities
exclusively and may also include neighboring communities. Grant
requests cannot exceed the amount listed as the ``Maximum Request'' for
the target CoCs listed below.
(b) As a new award, in the first year of the award period, grants
will not be subject to VII.C until the end of the third quarter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CoC for the following
State areas CoC ID Maximum request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK..................................... Alaska BoS............... AK-501 $500,000.
AL..................................... Birmingham/Jefferson, St. AL-500 $500,000.
Clair.
AR..................................... Little Rock/Central AR-500 $500,000.
Arkansas.
AZ..................................... Phoenix, Mesa/Maricopa... AZ-502 $1 million.
CA..................................... Sacramento City.......... CA-503 $1 million.
CA..................................... San Diego................ CA-601 $1 million.
CA..................................... Santa Ana/Anaheim/Orange CA-602 $1 million.
County.
CO..................................... Metropolitan Denver...... CO-503 $1 million.
CO..................................... Colorado BoS............. CO-500 $1 million.
IN..................................... Indiana BoS.............. IN-502 $1 million.
KS..................................... Kansas BoS............... KS-507 $500,000.
LA..................................... Lafayette/Acadiana....... LA-500 $250,000.
LA..................................... Louisiana BoS............ LA-509 $250,000
MA..................................... Boston................... MA-500 $1 million.
MO..................................... Kansas City.............. MO-604 $500,000.
MT..................................... Montana Statewide........ MT-500 $500,000.
NC..................................... Charlotte/Mecklenberg.... NC-505 $500,000.
NC..................................... North Carolina BoS....... NC-503 $500,000.
NY..................................... Buffalo, Niagara Falls/ NY-508 $250,000.
Erie.
NV..................................... Las Vegas/Clark.......... NV-500 $1 million.
OR..................................... Portland, Gresham/ OR-501 $1 million.
Multnomah.
OR..................................... Oregon BoS............... OR-505 $1 million.
SD..................................... South Dakota Statewide... SD-500 $500,000.
TX..................................... Dallas City.............. TX-600 $500,000.
TX..................................... Houston, Pasadena, Conroe/ TX-700 $1 million.
Harris.
TX..................................... Texas BoS................ TX-503 $1 million.
WA..................................... Washington BoS........... WA-501 $1 million.
WI..................................... Wisconsin BoS............ WI-500 $1 million.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Priority 1 and 2 applicants must apply using the renewal
application. To be eligible for renewal of a supportive services grant,
the Priority 1 and 2 applicants' program concept must be substantially
the same as the program concept of the grantees' current grant award.
Renewal applications can request funding that is equal to or less than
their current annualized award. Under Priority 3 and 4, applicants must
apply using the application for new applicants. Applications will only
be accepted from eligible entities proposing to serve the target
communities served by one of the CoCs described in Section II.B.3. and
II.B.4.
Allocation of Funds
Funding will be awarded under this NOFA to new applicants and
existing grantees for a 1 to 3-year period for services beginning
October 1, 2019. The following requirements apply to grants awarded
under this NOFA:
1. In response to this NOFA, only existing grantees can apply as
Priority 1 or 2 grantees.
2. Applications for Priority 3 will only be accepted from
designated target communities and requests cannot exceed the amounts
listed as a maximum award list in the chart in II.B.3.
3. Only existing grantees currently providing SSVF services in a
target community listed in II.B.3. may apply for funding under Priority
3. These applicants can only apply for funding in the target community
where they are providing services.
4. Applications for Priority 4 must include services for the
designated target communities (the application may also include
services for adjacent areas) and requests cannot exceed the amounts
listed as the maximum award in the chart in II.B.4.
5. Eligible entities can submit no more than one application for
new funding under Priority 4.
6. Each renewal grant request under Priority 1 or 2 cannot exceed
the grantee's current annualized award.
7. Applicants must fill out separate applications for each grant
funding request.
8. Applicants under Priority 1 or 2 may request an amount less than
their current award (this will not be considered a substantial change
to the program concept).
[[Page 65205]]
9. If a grantee failed to use all of its awarded funds in FY 2018
or had unspent funds returned to VA in FY 2018, VA may elect to limit
renewal awards under Priority 1 or 2 to the amount of funds used in the
previous fiscal year.
10. If, during the course of the grant year, VA determines that
grantee spending is not meeting the minimum percentage milestones
below, 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.
(a) By the end of the first quarter, December 31, 2019, of the
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, if the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds is
fewer than 15 percent of the total supportive services grant award VA
may recoup funds. During this same period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 35 percent
of the total supportive services grant award, or VA may recoup funds.
(b) By the end of the second quarter, March 31, 2020, of the
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, if the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds is
fewer than 40 percent of total supportive services grant award the VA
may recoup funds. During this same period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 60 percent
of the total supportive services grant award.
(c) By the end of the third quarter, June 30, 2020, of the
grantee's supportive services annualized grant award period, if the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds is
fewer than 65 percent of total supportive services grant award, the VA
may recoup funds. During this same period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds may not exceed 80 percent
of the total supportive services grant award, or the VA may recoup
funds.
11. Applicants for Priority 1 or 2 awards 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 percent
of the amount of funds awarded to them in their prior grant award.
Applicants are responsible for determining who in each CoC is
authorized to provide such letters of support. This requirement applies
to all Priority 1 and 2 applicants, including existing multi-year
grantees that are only required to submit a LOI in response to this
NOFA. Applicants for Priority 3 or 4 awards are required to provide a
letter of support from the CoC identified in Section II.B.3 (for
Priority 3) or Section II.B.4. (for Priority 4). Priority 3 and 4
applications that do not include a letter will not be considered for
funding. In order to meet this requirement, all applicant letters,
regardless of Priority, 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 instance, 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 instance, 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.
12. Should additional funding become available over the course of
grant term from funds recouped under the Award Information section of
this Notice, funds that are voluntarily returned by grantees, or funds
that become available due to a grant termination, 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 utilize the additional funds.
13. Should sufficient funds be available, Priority 1 and 2 grantees
may be eligible for an increase of up to 2 percent of their renewed
total award. Any such increase will be applied uniformly to all renewed
Priority 1 and 2 grants.
Supportive Services Grant Award Period
Priority 1 and 2 grant awards are generally made for a 1-year
period, although selected grants may be eligible for a 3-year award
(see the Award Administration section of this Notice). Priority 3
grants will have a 2-year, non-renewable term. Priority 4 grants are
awarded for a 1-year period. Priority 1, 2, and 4 are eligible to be
renewed in a subsequent NOFA subject to the availability of funding.
Eligibility Information
Eligible Applicants: Only eligible entities that are existing
grantees with grants scheduled to end by September 30, 2019, can apply
under Priority 1 or 2 in response to this NOFA. For Priority 3, any
eligible entity that is an existing grantee may apply for new funding
in one of the listed target communities described in the Award
Information section of this Notice. For Priority 4, any eligible entity
may apply for new funding in one of the listed target communities
described in the Award Section of this Notice. In order to be eligible,
an applicant must qualify as a private non-profit organization that
meets the definition of ``eligible entity'' in the 38 CFR 62.2.
Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
Application and Submission Information
Obtaining an Application Package
Applications are located at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Any
questions regarding this process should be referred to the SSVF Program
Office via email at SSVF@va.gov. For detailed SSVF Program information
and requirements, see 38 CFR part 62.
Content and Form of Application
Applicants must submit applications electronically following
instructions found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. The full,
downloadable content of the application can be found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Priority 3 and 4 applicants must complete the
application for new applicants. Priority 1 and 2 applicants use the
renewal application. The renewal application includes questions that
require a narrative response for the following.
1. Describe how your program's participants made progress in
achieving stability during the grant award period. For example,
describe specific initiatives you have taken to increase household
income through employment or benefits, such as use of the Department of
Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program or the SSI/SSDI
Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program. Additionally, describe
how any proposed program modifications will impact participants housing
stability.
2. Describe how your program targeted and reduced Literal
homelessness among very low-income Veteran families occupying permanent
housing (Category 2 and 3, described in 38 CFR 62.11). Please include
any
[[Page 65206]]
initiatives you are taking to address shortfalls in the availability of
affordable housing in the communities you serve.
3. Describe how you targeted and prevented literal homelessness
among those very low-income Veteran families occupying permanent
housing who were most at risk (Category 1, described in 38 CFR
62.11(b)(1)). Please describe in detail any Rapid Resolution/diversion
services offered and how they are integrated into the screening process
employed as part of Coordinated Entry.
4. Describe how you receive and respond to feedback from
participants in your program (e.g. exit interviews, internal surveys,
etc.). What is your average number of responses to the SSVF Participant
Survey? Are you satisfied with your response rate and, if not, how will
you work to increase it? Describe any changes you have made as a result
of participant feedback.
5. Specify the average time between client intake and start of
service delivery, average time to placement in permanent housing, and
average length of stay (enrollment to exit). Describe any programmatic
or organizational delays associated with onset of supportive services
delivery. Describe the timeline for any proposed program modifications.
6. How have you coordinated SSVF services with other programs
offered in the Continuum(s) of Care (CoC) you currently serve? Describe
your direct involvement in each CoC's Coordinated Entry effort and
community plan to end Veteran homelessness.
7. Please explain whether your program was implemented consistent
with your approved budget in your previous year of operation (Oct 1
through Sept 30). Explain any major deviations or variances from
original budget. (VA-approved program changes to the grant agreement do
not need to be addressed.)
8. Please provide information on whether your program: (a) Required
an extension in order to fully expend its grant award, (b) had unspent
funds swept by the SSVF program office at the end of any quarter and/or
(c) returned funds to U.S. Treasury at the end of the grant period. If
you have returned funds, explain your plan to fully expend your current
grant amount.
9. Describe how your program was implemented in accordance with
VA's goals (as described in 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA) for the SSVF
Program. Address how you ensured staff were trained and supervised to
deliver services to rapidly meet participants' individualized needs
while protecting the program from waste, fraud, and abuse.
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 22, 2019. Awards made for all grants will fund operations
beginning October 1, 2019. 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. Additionally, 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.
Funding Restrictions
Funding will be awarded for supportive services grants under this
NOFA depending on funding availability (currently funding is only
authorized to be appropriated for the SSVF program through FY 2019).
Applicants should fill out separate applications for each supportive
services funding request. Funding for Priority 1 or 2 will be awarded
under this NOFA to existing grantees for a 1 to 3-year period beginning
on October 1, 2019. Funding for Priority 3 will be awarded for a 2-year
period beginning on October 1, 2019. Funding for Priority 4 will be
awarded for a 1-year period beginning on October 1, 2019.
Funding used for staff education and training cannot exceed 1
percent 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.
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 is allowed and is based on the schedule of the
accrediting agency, for instance every 3 years for CARF and every 4
years for COA. Expenses related to the renewal of less than full
accreditation are not allowed.
Other Submission Requirements
1. Existing grantees applying for renewal grants may apply only as
renewal applicants using the application designed for renewal grants.
2. Existing grantees applying for new funding under Priority 3 must
use 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 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 or sent by
facsimile (FAX).
Application Review Information
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 62.22 to score an
application (Priority 3 and 4) for a supportive services grant and
criteria in 38 CFR 62.24 to score grantees applying for renewal
(Priority 1 and 2) of a supportive services grant.
Review and Selection Process
3. VA will review all supportive services grant applications in
response to this NOFA according to the following steps:
a. Score all applications that meet the threshold requirements
described in 38 CFR 62.21.
b. Rank those applications who score at least 75 cumulative points
and receive at least one point under each of the categories identified
for new applicants in 38 CFR 62.22 and renewal applicants in 38 CFR
62.24. The applications will be ranked in order from highest to lowest
scores in accordance with 38 CFR 62.23 for new applicants and 38 CFR
62.25 for renewal applicants.
c. Utilize the ranked scores of applications as the primary basis
for
[[Page 65207]]
selection. However, VA will also utilize the following considerations
in 38 CFR 62.23(d) to select applicants for funding:
(i) 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, where other funds from community resources are not
readily available for temporary financial assistance, Priority 1 and 2
applicants are required to spend no less than 60 percent of all
budgeted temporary financial assistance on participants occupying
permanent housing as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b). Priority 3 and 4
applicants are required to spend no less than 70 percent of all
budgeted temporary financial assistance on participants occupying
permanent housing as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b). Waivers to this
spending requirement may be requested 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 USICH certification, that a community has
ended homelessness as defined by Federal Benchmarks and Criteria or has
reached Community Solution's Functional Zero. Waivers for the spending
requirement may also be requested for services provided to rural Indian
tribal areas and other rural areas where shelter capacity is
insufficient to meet local need. 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.
(ii) 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.
(ii) Subject to the considerations noted in paragraph B.3 above, VA
will fund the highest-ranked applicants for which funding is available.
Award Administration Information
Award Notices
Although subject to change, the SSVF Program Office expects to
announce grant recipients in the fourth quarter of FY 2019 with grant
agreements being signed by October 1, 2019. Prior to executing a
funding agreement, VA will contact the applicants, make known the
amount of proposed funding and verify that the applicant would still
like 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.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Grantees are expected to offer the following supportive services:
Housing counseling; assisting participants in understanding leases;
securing utilities; making moving arrangements; providing
representative payee services concerning rent and utilities when
needed; and mediation and outreach to property owners related to
locating or retaining housing. Grantees may also assist participants by
providing rental assistance, security or utility deposits, moving costs
or general housing stability assistance, using other Federal resources,
such as ESG, or supportive services grant funds to the extent described
in this NOFA and 38 CFR 62.34.
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.
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.
3. VA shall complete monitoring evaluations of each grantee at a
rate of not less than once every two years. 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 concept, as described in
the grantee's application. All grantees are subject to audits conducted
by the 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 percent of the area median income.
5. Organizations receiving renewal awards and that have had ongoing
SSVF program operation for at least 1 year (as measured from the start
of initial SSVF services until February 22, 2019) 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-year accreditation from COA accreditation in Housing Stabilization
and Community Living Services standards, 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 2 and 3 of their renewal funding.
Other Information
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
[[Page 65208]]
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 percent of area median
income as most recently published by HUD for programs under section 8
of the United States 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 another SSVF grantee.
5. Veteran families located in a community, as defined by HUD's
CoC, where 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 U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services 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 percent 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 percent
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 percent
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 percent
of the total supportive services grant award.
Recouping Excess Funds
VA regularly reviews grantee expenditures to ensure that funds are
being used in a manner consistent with program goals and regulations.
It is expected that grantee expenditures will be consistent across
quarters as significant variance, specifically lower than expected
spending, may indicate either a lower demand for services or difficulty
in managing funds. If during the grant period, VA determines that
grantee spending is not meeting the minimum percentage milestones
below, VA may elect to recoup projected unused funds and reprogram such
funds to provide supportive services in areas with higher need.
Reductions will be calculated based on the total amount of payment
requests submitted through the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Payment Management System by 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time
on the last business day of the quarter. Should VA elect to recoup
unspent funds, reductions in available grant funds would take place the
second business day following the end of the quarter.
1. By the end of the first quarter of the grantee's supportive
services annualized grant award period, the grantee's cumulative
requests for supportive services grant funds is fewer than 15 percent
of total supportive services grant award. (During this same period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds may
not exceed 35 percent of the total supportive services grant award.)
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 is fewer than 40 percent
of total supportive services grant award. (During this same period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds may
not exceed 60 percent of the total supportive services grant award.)
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 is fewer than 65 percent
of total supportive services grant award. (During this same period, the
grantee's cumulative requests for supportive services grant funds may
not exceed 80 percent of the total supportive services grant award).
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. Robert L.
Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on December 14, 2018, for publication.
Dated: December 14, 2018.
Jeffrey M. Martin,
Assistant Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018-27465 Filed 12-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
