Caban relays Areola questions: DHS dropping VA Grant and Per Diem funding
Caban relays three questions from Councilmember Areola about DHS no longer pursuing VA Grant and Per Diem funding for transitional housing: how much funding is foregone, why DHS stopped, and how the administration will replace it. Orlando says DVS will follow up with DHS.
Thank you, Councilmember.
Before I get to Councilmember Wilson, Commissioner, I have a question from my colleague, Councilmember Areola, who's watching on Zoom but can't ask because we don't have a quorum here.
Councilmember Areola received a letter from the federal government indicating that the Department of Homeless Services is no longer pursuing funding through the VA's grant and per diem program, commonly known as GPD.
For context, this program provides funding for transitional housing and supportive services for veterans experiencing homelessness.
So on her behalf, I have three questions.
First, how much federal funding is the city foregoing?
Second, why has DHS decided not to pursue this grant?
And third, how does the administration intend to replace that funding and ensure that the veterans served by the program at Borden Avenue do not lose housing or supportive services?
And she adds, if DVS doesn't have those answers today, can you commit to coordinating with DHS and providing a written response to the committee and Councilmember Areola?
Thank you for that question.
We, as the Department of Veteran Services, are separate of the federal VA and of DHS for these shelters, but what we can say is that we're remaining in close communication with all of our partners to ensure that our homeless veterans are taken care of, and we will follow up.
Councilmember Wilson.