81_FR_2322 81 FR 2312 - Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program

81 FR 2312 - Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 10 (January 15, 2016)

Page Range2312-2318
FR Document2016-00727

Funding Opportunity Title: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Announcement Type: Initial. Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SSVF-011516. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.033, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. 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 Fund Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the SSVF Program, initial supportive services grant application processes, and the amount of funding available. Awards made for supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 1, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2312-2318]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00727]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran 
Families Program

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, VA.

ACTION: Notice of fund availability.

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SUMMARY: 
    Funding Opportunity Title: Supportive Services for Veteran Families 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SSVF-011516.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.033, VA 
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
    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 
Fund Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the SSVF 
Program, initial supportive services grant application processes, and 
the amount of funding available. Awards made for supportive services 
grants will fund operations beginning October 1, 2016.

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 5, 2016. 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.

ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the Application Package: Copies of the 
application can be downloaded directly from the SSVF Program Web site 
at: www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Questions should 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 are strongly 
encouraged to submit applications electronically following instructions 
found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Alternatively, applicants can 
mail in applications. If mailed, applicants must submit two completed, 
collated, hard copies of the application and two compact discs (CDs) 
containing electronic versions of the entire application are required. 
Each application copy must (i) be fastened with a binder clip, and (ii) 
contain tabs listing the major sections of and exhibits to the 
application. Each CD must be labeled with the applicant's name and must 
contain an electronic copy of the entire application. A budget template 
must be attached in Excel format on the CD, but all other application 
materials may be attached in a PDF or other format. The application 
copies and CDs must be submitted to the following address: Supportive 
Services for Veteran Families Program Office National Center on 
Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, 
Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants must submit two hard copies and two 
CDs. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX). Applications must 
be received in the SSVF Program Office by

[[Page 2313]]

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.C. of this 
NOFA for maximum allowable grant amounts.
    Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical 
assistance with the preparation of an initial supportive services grant 
application is available on the SSVF Program Web site at: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Kuhn, Supportive Services for 
Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among 
Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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; (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.
    B. Funding Priorities: VA will provide up to $300 million for 
existing grantees seeking to renew their grants.
    C. Definitions: Part 62 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 
(38 CFR part 62), contains definitions of terms used in the SSVF 
Program.
    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 amongst 
strong social service providers. The scoring criteria for grantees 
applying for renewal supportive services grants are at 38 CFR 62.24, 
which provides for points to be awarded based on the success of the 
grantee's program. 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, 
applicants are strongly encouraged to provide letters of support from 
the Continuum of Care (CoC) where they plan to deliver services that 
reflect the applicant's engagement in the CoC's efforts to coordinate 
services. The CoC may elect to provide VA with a rank order of their 
support in lieu of providing individual letters of support. 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. It includes action steps to end homelessness 
and prevent a return to homelessness (CoC locations and contact 
information can be found at the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development's (HUD) Web site, http://www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewCocMaps). The CoC's letter of support should describe 
the applicant's participation in the CoC's coordinated assessment 
efforts (coordinated assessment refers to a common process for 
accessing homeless assistance services including: Prevention, 
diversion, emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, 
supportive services and even permanent supportive housing). 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 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 regulation as (i) very low-income Veteran families who are homeless 
and 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 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.
    E. Authority: Funding applied for under this NOFA is authorized by 
38 U.S.C. 2044. VA implements the SSVF Program by regulation in 38 CFR 
part 62. Funds made available under this NOFA are subject to the 
requirements of the aforementioned regulations and other applicable 
laws and regulations.
    F. Requirements for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: The 
grantee'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 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.
    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). (NOTE: Grantees may request a waiver to decrease this 
minimum, as discussed in section V.B.3.a.)
    3. 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.
    G. Guidance for the Use of Supportive Services Grant Funds: It is 
VA policy to support a ``Housing First'' model in

[[Page 2314]]

addressing and ending homelessness. Housing First establishes housing 
stability as the primary intervention in working with homeless persons. 
The Housing First approach is based on research that shows that a 
homeless individual or household's first and primary need is to obtain 
stable housing, and that other issues that may affect the household can 
and should be addressed as housing is obtained. Research supports this 
approach as an effective means to end homelessness. Housing is not 
contingent on compliance with mandated therapies or services; instead, 
participants must comply with a standard lease agreement and are 
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 significant underutilized source of income 
stability for homeless Veterans. The complexity of program rules and 
the stigma some associate with entitlement programs contributes to 
their lack of use. To this effect, 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. Consistent with the Housing First model supported by VA, 
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 emergency supplies; or using other Federal resources, such as the 
HUD's ESG, or supportive services grant funds subject to the 
limitations described in this NOFA 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 (SNAP), the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Earned Income Tax Credit 
(EITC), and local General Assistance programs. Grantees are expected to 
access the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program either though 
community linkages or by training staff to deliver SOAR services. In 
addition, where available grantees should access information technology 
tools to support case managers in their efforts to link participants to 
benefits.
    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 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 
and engagement to mental health and addiction 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 a VA-approved 
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 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.
    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.
    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

[[Page 2315]]

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.

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. 
New applications for SSVF grant awards will not be funded through this 
NOFA. Up to $300 million will be available through this NOFA.
    B. Funding: To be eligible for renewal of a supportive services 
grant, the grantee's program concept must be substantially the same 
with the program concept of the grantee's current grant award. Renewal 
applications can request funding that is equal to or less than their 
current award. If sufficient funding is available, VA may provide an 
increase of up to 2 percent from the previous year's award. Any 
percentage increase, if provided, will be awarded uniformly to all 
grant recipients regardless of their grant award. As provided in 
section V.5., VA may in its discretion offer to award a non-renewed 
grant to the highest-ranked applicant that is awarded a renewal grant 
in the same community as, or a proximate community to, the non-renewed 
grant, so long as that applicant has the capacity to promptly begin 
providing services in connection with all awards. In such instance, the 
amount of the award will be equal to or less than the prior award which 
was not renewed.
    C. Allocation of Funds: Funding will be awarded under this NOFA to 
existing grantees for a 1- to 3-year period beginning October 1, 2016. 
The following requirements apply to supportive services grants awarded 
under this NOFA:
    1. In response to this NOFA, only existing grantees can apply.
    2. Each grant request cannot exceed the current award.
    3. Applicants may request an amount less than their current award 
(this will not be considered a substantial change to the program 
concept).
    4. If a grantee failed to use all of awarded funds in the previous 
fiscal year (2016), VA may elect to limit renewal award to the amount 
of funds used in the previous fiscal year.
    5. Applicants should fill out separate applications for each 
supportive services renewal funding request.
    D. Supportive Services Grant Award Period: Grant awards are 
generally made for a 1-year period, although selected grants may be 
eligible for a 3-year award (see VI.C.6). All grants are eligible to be 
renewed subject to the availability of funding.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants: Only eligible entities that are existing 
grantees can apply in response to this NOFA. In order to be eligible, 
an applicant must qualify as a private non-profit organization (section 
501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax exempt status is required) or a consumer 
cooperative as defined in 38 U.S.C. 2044(f). In addition, tribally 
designated housing entities (as defined in section 4 of the Native 
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
U.S.C. 4103)) are eligible.
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Address to Request Application Package: Download directly from 
the SSVF Program Web site at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp or send a 
written request for an application to SSVF Program Office, National 
Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, 
Philadelphia, PA 19104. Any questions regarding this process should be 
referred to the SSVF Program Office via phone at (877) 737-0111 (toll-
free number) or via email at [email protected]. For detailed SSVF Program 
information and requirements, see 38 CFR 62.
    B. Content and Form of Application: Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to submit applications electronically following instructions 
found at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. Alternatively, applicants can 
mail in applications. If mailed, applicants must submit two completed 
collated, hard copies of the application and two CDs containing 
electronic versions of the entire application are required. Each 
application copy must (i) be fastened with a binder clip, and (ii) 
contain tabs listing the major sections of and exhibits to the 
application. Each CD must be labeled with the applicant's name and must 
contain an electronic copy of the entire application. A budget template 
must be attached in Excel format on the CD, but all other application 
materials may be attached in a PDF or other format.
    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 5, 2016. Awards made for 
supportive services grants will fund operations beginning October 1, 
2016. 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.
    D. Intergovernmental Review: This section is not applicable to the 
SSVF Program.
    E. Funding Restrictions: Up to $300 million may be awarded 
depending on funding availability and subject to available 
appropriations for supportive services grants to be funded under this 
NOFA. Applicants should fill out separate applications for each 
supportive services funding request. Funding will be awarded under this 
NOFA to existing grantees for a 1- to 3-year period beginning October 
1, 2016.
    F. Other Submission Requirements:
    1. Applicants may apply only as renewal applicants using the 
application designed for renewal grants.
    2. 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. Any funds awarded 
pursuant to section V.5. will be combined into a single award.
    3. 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 are strongly 
encouraged to submit applications electronically. If mailed, 
applications and CDs must be submitted

[[Page 2316]]

to the following address: SSVF Program Office, National Center on 
Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, 
Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants must submit two hard copies and two 
CDs. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX).

V. Application Review Information

    A. Criteria:
    1. VA will only score applicants that meet the following threshold 
requirements:
    (a) The application is filed within the time period established in 
the NOFA, and any additional information or documentation requested by 
VA under 38 CFR 62.20(c) is provided within the time frame established 
by VA;
    (b) The application is completed in all parts;
    (c) The applicant is an eligible entity;
    (d) The activities for which the supportive services grant is 
requested are eligible for funding under 38 CFR part 62;
    (e) The applicant's proposed participants are eligible to receive 
supportive services under this part;
    (f) The applicant agrees to comply with the requirements of 38 CFR 
part 62;
    (g) The applicant does not have an outstanding obligation to the 
Federal Government that is in arrears and does not have an overdue or 
unsatisfactory response to an audit; and
    (h) The applicant is not in default by failing to meet the 
requirements for any previous Federal assistance.
    2. VA will use the following criteria to score grantees applying 
for renewal of a supportive services grant:
    (a) VA will award up to 55 points based on the success of the 
grantee's program.
    (b) VA will award up to 30 points based on the cost-effectiveness 
of the grantee's program.
    (c) VA will award up to 15 points based on the extent to which the 
grantee's program complies with SSVF Program goals and requirements.
    3. VA will use the following process to select applicants to 
receive supportive services grants: VA will score all applicants that 
meet the threshold requirements set forth in 38 CFR 62.21 using the 
scoring criteria set forth in 38 CFR 62.24.
    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 who score at least 75 cumulative points 
and receive at least one 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.
    3. Utilize the ranked scores of applications as the primary basis 
for selection. However, VA will also utilize 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, where other funds from community resources are not 
readily available for temporary financial assistance, 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)). Waivers to this 60 percent 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 HUD's 
Annual Homeless Assessment Report, annual Point-In-Time Counts and 
evidence of decreased demand for emergency shelter and transitional 
housing. Waivers for the 60 percent 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.
    (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 authoritative 
sources such as HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report, annual Point-
In-Time Counts and VA Homeless Registry data.
    4. Subject to the considerations noted in paragraph B.3 above, VA 
will fund the highest-ranked applicants for which funding is available.
    5. VA may in its discretion offer to award a non-renewed grant to 
the highest-ranked applicant that is awarded a renewal grant in the 
same community as, or a proximate community to, the non-renewed grant, 
so long as that applicant has the capacity to promptly begin providing 
services in connection with all awards. If that applicant declines the 
award, VA will offer the award to the next highest-ranked applicant and 
continue in that manner until a qualifying grantee accepts the award.

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 fiscal year 2016 with grants beginning October 1, 
2016. Prior to executing a funding agreement, VA will contact the 
applicants and 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.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: It is VA policy 
to support a ``Housing First'' model in addressing and ending 
homelessness. Housing First establishes housing stability as the 
primary intervention in working with homeless persons. The Housing 
First approach is based on research that shows that a homeless 
individual or household's first and primary need is to obtain stable 
housing, and that other issues that may affect the household can and 
should be addressed as housing is obtained. Housing is not contingent 
on compliance with services; instead, participants must comply with a 
standard lease agreement and are provided with the services and 
supports that are necessary to help them do so successfully. Research 
supports this approach as an effective means to end homelessness.
    Consistent with the Housing First model supported by VA, 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 emergency supplies, using 
other Federal resources, such as the ESG, or supportive services grant 
funds to the extent described in this NOFA and 38 CFR 62.34.

[[Page 2317]]

    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.
    3. VA shall 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 
concept, as described in the grantee's application. All grantees are 
subject to audits conducted by the VA Financial Services Center.
    4. Grantees will be required to provide each participant with a 
satisfaction survey which can be submitted by the participant directly 
to VA within 30 days of such participant's pending exit from the 
grantee's program.
    5. 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.
    6. 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 January 16, 2016) 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 the Commission on 
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Employment and 
Community Services: Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention standards 
or a 4-year accreditation from the Council on Accreditation's (COA) 
accreditation in Supported Community Living 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.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kuhn, Supportive SSVF Program 
Office, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester 
Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (877) 737-0111 (this is a 
toll-free number); [email protected].

VIII. 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 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 a 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.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and

[[Page 2318]]

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. Nabors II, Chief of Staff, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, approved this document on January 7, 2016, for 
publication.

    Dated: January 12, 2016.
Michael P. Shores,
Chief Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office 
of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-00727 Filed 1-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P



                                                  2312                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  into two time periods. Subsection (b)(1)                   6. The Commission recently                          contains information concerning the
                                                  would reflect the convictions that the                  promulgated an amendment that                          SSVF Program, initial supportive
                                                  defendant sustained before his or her                   amends the definition of ‘‘crime of                    services grant application processes,
                                                  first deportation or order of removal                   violence’’ in subsection (a) of § 4B1.2                and the amount of funding available.
                                                  (whichever event occurs first).                         (Definitions of Terms Used in Section                  Awards made for supportive services
                                                  Subsection (b)(2) would then reflect the                4B1.1), effective August 1, 2016 (to be                grants will fund operations beginning
                                                  convictions that the defendant sustained                published in a forthcoming edition of                  October 1, 2016.
                                                  after that event (when the criminal                     the Federal Register). The changes                     DATES: Applications for supportive
                                                  conduct that resulted in the conviction                 made by that amendment include                         services grants under the SSVF Program
                                                  took place after that event).                           revising the list of enumerated offenses               must be received by the SSVF Program
                                                     What are the advantages and                          and adding definitions for the                         Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on
                                                  disadvantages of using a particular                     enumerated offenses of extortion and a                 February 5, 2016. In the interest of
                                                  deportation or order of removal as the                  forcible sex offense. Finally, the                     fairness to all competing applicants, this
                                                  determining event for whether a prior                   amendment includes a downward                          deadline is firm as to date and hour, and
                                                  conviction qualifies for an enhancement                 departure provision in § 4B1.1 for cases               VA will treat as ineligible for
                                                  under subsection (b)(1) or subsection                   in which the defendant’s prior ‘‘crime of              consideration any application that is
                                                  (b)(2)? Should the Commission use a                     violence’’ or ‘‘controlled substance                   received after the deadline. Applicants
                                                  different approach to distinguish pre-                  offense’’ is based on an offense that was              should take this practice into account
                                                  deportation convictions from post-                      classified by the laws of the state as a               and make early submission of their
                                                  reentry convictions? For example,                       misdemeanor.                                           materials to avoid any risk of loss of
                                                  should the Commission provide instead                      The proposed amendment would                        eligibility brought about by
                                                  that a prior conviction sustained before                eliminate the use of the term ‘‘crime of               unanticipated delays, computer service
                                                  any deportation would qualify for an                    violence’’ in § 2L1.2. In the event that               outages, or other delivery-related
                                                  enhancement for pre-deportation                         the Commission does not promulgate                     problems.
                                                  convictions? If so, how should such                     the proposed amendment, and retains                    ADDRESSES: For a Copy of the
                                                  enhancement interact with an                            the term ‘‘crime of violence’’ in § 2L1.2,
                                                  enhancement based on post-reentry                                                                              Application Package: Copies of the
                                                                                                          should the Commission incorporate all                  application can be downloaded directly
                                                  convictions as provided in the proposed                 or part of the definition of ‘‘crime of
                                                  amendment?                                                                                                     from the SSVF Program Web site at:
                                                                                                          violence’’ provided in the recently                    www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
                                                     5. In 2014, the Commission amended                   amended § 4B1.2 into § 2L1.2? If the
                                                  the Commentary to § 2L1.1 to add a                                                                             Questions should be referred to the
                                                                                                          Commission were to conform § 2L1.2 to                  SSVF Program Office via email at
                                                  departure provision for cases in which                  the new definition in § 4B1.2(a), are
                                                  the defendant is located by immigration                                                                        SSVF@va.gov. For detailed SSVF
                                                                                                          there any particular offenses that would               Program information and requirements,
                                                  authorities while the defendant is in                   no longer qualify as a ‘‘crime of
                                                  state custody for a state offense                                                                              see part 62 of Title 38, Code of Federal
                                                                                                          violence’’ but that nonetheless should                 Regulations (38 CFR part 62).
                                                  unrelated to the federal illegal reentry                receive an enhancement under
                                                  offense. In such a case, the time served                                                                          Submission of Application Package:
                                                                                                          subsection (b)(1) (e.g., statutory rape or             Applicants are strongly encouraged to
                                                  is not covered by adjustment under                      burglary of a dwelling)?
                                                  § 5G1.3 (Imposition of a Sentence on a                                                                         submit applications electronically
                                                  Defendant Subject to an Undischarged                    [FR Doc. 2016–00766 Filed 1–14–16; 8:45 am]            following instructions found at
                                                  Term of Imprisonment or Anticipated                     BILLING CODE 2210–40–P                                 www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
                                                  State Term of Imprisonment) and,                                                                               Alternatively, applicants can mail in
                                                  accordingly, is not covered by a                                                                               applications. If mailed, applicants must
                                                  departure under § 5K2.23 (Discharged                    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS                                 submit two completed, collated, hard
                                                  Terms of Imprisonment). Under the                       AFFAIRS                                                copies of the application and two
                                                  current guideline, the departure allows                                                                        compact discs (CDs) containing
                                                  courts to depart to reflect all or part of              Funding Availability Under Supportive                  electronic versions of the entire
                                                  the time served in state custody for the                Services for Veteran Families Program                  application are required. Each
                                                  unrelated offense, from the time federal                                                                       application copy must (i) be fastened
                                                                                                          AGENCY: Veterans Health
                                                  immigration authorities locate the                                                                             with a binder clip, and (ii) contain tabs
                                                                                                          Administration, VA.
                                                  defendant until the service of the federal                                                                     listing the major sections of and exhibits
                                                                                                          ACTION: Notice of fund availability.
                                                  sentence commences, that the court                                                                             to the application. Each CD must be
                                                  determines will not be credited to the                  SUMMARY:                                               labeled with the applicant’s name and
                                                  federal sentence by the Bureau of                         Funding Opportunity Title:                           must contain an electronic copy of the
                                                  Prisons. The proposed amendment                         Supportive Services for Veteran                        entire application. A budget template
                                                  brackets the possibility of deleting the                Families Program.                                      must be attached in Excel format on the
                                                  departure provision at Application Note                   Announcement Type: Initial.                          CD, but all other application materials
                                                  8 to § 2L1.2.                                             Funding Opportunity Number: VA–                      may be attached in a PDF or other
                                                     If the Commission were to promulgate                 SSVF–011516.                                           format. The application copies and CDs
                                                  the proposed amendment revising how                       Catalog of Federal Domestic                          must be submitted to the following
                                                  the enhancements at the illegal reentry                 Assistance Number: 64.033, VA                          address: Supportive Services for Veteran
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                                                  guideline work, should the Commission                   Supportive Services for Veteran                        Families Program Office National Center
                                                  delete the departure based on time                      Families Program.                                      on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100
                                                  served in state custody? If not, how                      The Department of Veterans Affairs                   Chester Avenue, Suite 201,
                                                  should the new enhancements at § 2L1.2                  (VA) is announcing the availability of                 Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants
                                                  interact with the departure provision?                  funds for supportive services grants                   must submit two hard copies and two
                                                  For example, should the Commission                      under the Supportive Services for                      CDs. Applications may not be sent by
                                                  limit the applicability of the departure                Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This                  facsimile (FAX). Applications must be
                                                  provision?                                              Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA)                     received in the SSVF Program Office by


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices                                            2313

                                                  4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the                           62.24, which provides for points to be                 term support, grantees should focus on
                                                  application deadline date. Applications                 awarded based on the success of the                    connecting such participants to income
                                                  must arrive as a complete package.                      grantee’s program. As part of the                      supports, such as employment and
                                                  Materials arriving separately will not be               application, all applicants are strongly               mainstream Federal and community
                                                  included in the application package for                 encouraged to provide letters of support               resources (e.g., HUD–VA Supportive
                                                  consideration and may result in the                     from their respective VA Network                       Housing program, HUD Housing Choice
                                                  application being rejected. See Section                 Homeless Coordinator (or their                         Voucher programs, McKinney-Vento
                                                  II.C. of this NOFA for maximum                          designee). In addition, applicants are                 funded supportive housing programs,
                                                  allowable grant amounts.                                strongly encouraged to provide letters of              Temporary Assistance for Needy
                                                     Technical Assistance: Information                    support from the Continuum of Care                     Families (TANF), and Social Security
                                                  regarding how to obtain technical                       (CoC) where they plan to deliver                       Income/Social Security Disability
                                                  assistance with the preparation of an                   services that reflect the applicant’s                  Insurance (SSI/SSDI) etc.) that can
                                                  initial supportive services grant                       engagement in the CoC’s efforts to                     provide ongoing support as required.
                                                  application is available on the SSVF                    coordinate services. The CoC may elect                   Assistance in obtaining or retaining
                                                  Program Web site at: http://www.va.gov/                 to provide VA with a rank order of their               permanent housing is a fundamental
                                                  HOMELESS/SSVF.asp.                                      support in lieu of providing individual                goal of the SSVF Program. Grantees
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                    letters of support. A CoC is a                         must provide case management services
                                                  John Kuhn, Supportive Services for                      community plan to organize and deliver                 in accordance with 38 CFR 62.31. Such
                                                  Veteran Families Program Office,                        housing and services to meet the needs                 case management should include tenant
                                                  National Center on Homelessness                                                                                counseling, mediation with landlords
                                                                                                          of people who are homeless as they
                                                  Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue,                                                                           and outreach to landlords.
                                                                                                          move to stable housing and maximize                      E. Authority: Funding applied for
                                                  Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104;                      self-sufficiency. It includes action steps             under this NOFA is authorized by 38
                                                  SSVF@va.gov.                                            to end homelessness and prevent a                      U.S.C. 2044. VA implements the SSVF
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              return to homelessness (CoC locations                  Program by regulation in 38 CFR part
                                                                                                          and contact information can be found at                62. Funds made available under this
                                                  I. Funding Opportunity Description                      the Department of Housing and Urban                    NOFA are subject to the requirements of
                                                     A. Purpose: The SSVF Program’s                       Development’s (HUD) Web site, http://                  the aforementioned regulations and
                                                  purpose is to provide supportive                        www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=view                      other applicable laws and regulations.
                                                  services grants to private non-profit                   CocMaps). The CoC’s letter of support                    F. Requirements for the Use of
                                                  organizations and consumer                              should describe the applicant’s                        Supportive Services Grant Funds: The
                                                  cooperatives, who will coordinate or                    participation in the CoC’s coordinated                 grantee’s request for funding must be
                                                  provide supportive services to very low-                assessment efforts (coordinated                        consistent with the limitations and uses
                                                  income Veteran families who: (i) Are                    assessment refers to a common process                  of supportive services grant funds set
                                                  residing in permanent housing; (ii) are                 for accessing homeless assistance                      forth in 38 CFR part 62 and this NOFA.
                                                  homeless and scheduled to become                        services including: Prevention,                        In accordance with the regulations and
                                                  residents of permanent housing within                   diversion, emergency shelter,                          this NOFA, the following requirements
                                                  a specified time period; or (iii) after                 transitional housing, rapid re-housing,                apply to supportive services grants
                                                  exiting permanent housing within a                      supportive services and even permanent                 awarded under this NOFA:
                                                  specified time period, are seeking other                supportive housing). In addition, any                    1. Grantees may use a maximum of 10
                                                  housing that is responsive to such very                 applicant proposing to serve an Indian                 percent of supportive services grant
                                                  low-income Veteran family’s needs and                   Tribal area is strongly encouraged to                  funds for administrative costs identified
                                                  preferences.                                            provide a letter of support from the                   in 38 CFR 62.70.
                                                     B. Funding Priorities: VA will provide               relevant Indian Tribal Government. The                   2. Grantees must use a minimum of 60
                                                  up to $300 million for existing grantees                aim of the provision of supportive                     percent of the temporary financial
                                                  seeking to renew their grants.                          services is to assist very low-income                  assistance portion of their supportive
                                                     C. Definitions: Part 62 of title 38, Code            Veteran families residing in permanent                 services grant funds to serve very low-
                                                  of Federal Regulations (38 CFR part 62),                housing to remain stably housed and to                 income Veteran families who qualify
                                                  contains definitions of terms used in the               rapidly transition those not currently in              under 38 CFR 62.11(b). (NOTE: Grantees
                                                  SSVF Program.                                           permanent housing to stable housing.                   may request a waiver to decrease this
                                                     D. Approach: Respondents to this                     SSVF emphasizes the placement of                       minimum, as discussed in section
                                                  NOFA should base their proposals and                    homeless Veteran families who are                      V.B.3.a.)
                                                  applications on the current                             described in regulation as (i) very low-                 3. Grantees may use a maximum of 50
                                                  requirements of part 62. Grantees will                  income Veteran families who are                        percent of supportive services grant
                                                  be expected to leverage supportive                      homeless and scheduled to become                       funds to provide the supportive service
                                                  services grant funds to enhance the                     residents of permanent housing within                  of temporary financial assistance paid
                                                  housing stability of very low-income                    90 days, and (ii) very low-income                      directly to a third party on behalf of a
                                                  Veteran families who are occupying                      Veteran families who have exited                       participant for child care, emergency
                                                  permanent housing. In doing so,                         permanent housing within the previous                  housing assistance, transportation,
                                                  grantees are required to establish                      90 days to seek other housing that is                  rental assistance, utility-fee payment
                                                  relationships with local community                      responsive to their needs and                          assistance, security deposits, utility
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                                                  resources. Therefore, agencies must                     preferences. As a crisis intervention                  deposits, moving costs, and general
                                                  work through coordinated partnerships                   program, the SSVF Program is not                       housing stability assistance (which
                                                  built either through formal agreements                  intended to provide long-term support                  includes emergency supplies) in
                                                  or the informal working relationships                   for participants, nor will it be able to               accordance with 38 CFR 62.33 and 38
                                                  commonly found amongst strong social                    address all of the financial and                       CFR 62.34.
                                                  service providers. The scoring criteria                 supportive services needs of                             G. Guidance for the Use of Supportive
                                                  for grantees applying for renewal                       participants that affect housing stability.            Services Grant Funds: It is VA policy to
                                                  supportive services grants are at 38 CFR                Rather, when participants require long-                support a ‘‘Housing First’’ model in


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                                                  2314                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  addressing and ending homelessness.                     agreements. Agreements with Homeless                     6. VA recognizes that extremely low-
                                                  Housing First establishes housing                       Veteran Reintegration Programs funded                  income Veterans, with incomes below
                                                  stability as the primary intervention in                by the U.S. Department of Labor are                    30 percent of the area median income,
                                                  working with homeless persons. The                      strongly encouraged. For participants                  face greater barriers to permanent
                                                  Housing First approach is based on                      unable to work due to disability, income               housing placement. Grantees should
                                                  research that shows that a homeless                     must be established through available                  consider how they can support these
                                                  individual or household’s first and                     benefits programs.                                     participants.
                                                  primary need is to obtain stable                           3. Per 38 CFR 62.33, grantees must                    7. When serving participants who are
                                                  housing, and that other issues that may                 assist participants in obtaining public                residing in permanent housing, the
                                                  affect the household can and should be                  benefits. Grantees must screen all                     defining question to ask is: ‘‘Would this
                                                  addressed as housing is obtained.                       participants for eligibility for a broad               individual or family be homeless but for
                                                  Research supports this approach as an                   range of entitlements such as TANF,                    this assistance?’’ The grantee must use
                                                  effective means to end homelessness.                    Social Security, the Supplemental                      a VA-approved screening tool with
                                                  Housing is not contingent on                            Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),                   criteria that targets those most at-risk of
                                                  compliance with mandated therapies or                   the Low Income Home Energy                             homelessness. To qualify for SSVF
                                                  services; instead, participants must                    Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the                       services, a participant who is served
                                                  comply with a standard lease agreement                  Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and                   under 38 CFR 62.11(a) (homeless
                                                  and are provided with the services and                  local General Assistance programs.                     prevention) must not have sufficient
                                                  supports that are necessary to help them                Grantees are expected to access the                    resources or support networks (e.g.,
                                                  do so successfully.                                     Substance Abuse and Mental Health                      family, friends, faith-based or other
                                                     Grantees must develop plans that will                Services Administration’s SSI/SSDI                     social networks) immediately available
                                                  ensure that Veteran participants have                   Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)                  to prevent them from becoming
                                                  the level of income and economic                        program either though community                        homeless. To further qualify for services
                                                  stability needed to remain in permanent                 linkages or by training staff to deliver               under 38 CFR 62.11(a), the grantee must
                                                  housing after the conclusion of the                     SOAR services. In addition, where                      document that the participant meets at
                                                  SSVF intervention. Both employment                      available grantees should access                       least one of the following conditions:
                                                  and benefits assistance from VA and                     information technology tools to support                  (a) Has moved because of economic
                                                  non-VA sources represent a significant                  case managers in their efforts to link                 reasons two or more times during the 60
                                                  underutilized source of income stability                participants to benefits.                              days immediately preceding the
                                                  for homeless Veterans. The complexity                                                                          application for homelessness prevention
                                                                                                             4. Grantees are encouraged to provide,
                                                  of program rules and the stigma some                                                                           assistance;
                                                                                                          or assist participants in obtaining, legal
                                                  associate with entitlement programs                                                                              (b) Is living in the home of another
                                                                                                          services relevant to issues that interfere
                                                  contributes to their lack of use. To this                                                                      because of economic hardship;
                                                                                                          with the participants’ ability to obtain or
                                                  effect, grantees are encouraged to                                                                               (c) Has been notified in writing that
                                                                                                          retain permanent housing. (Note:
                                                  consider strategies that can lead to                                                                           their right to occupy their current
                                                  prompt and successful access to                         Information regarding legal services
                                                                                                                                                                 housing or living situation will be
                                                  employment and benefits that are                        provided may be protected from being
                                                                                                                                                                 terminated within 21 days after the date
                                                  essential to retaining housing.                         released to the grantee or VA under
                                                                                                                                                                 of application for assistance;
                                                     1. Consistent with the Housing First                 attorney-client privilege, although                      (d) Lives in a hotel or motel and the
                                                  model supported by VA, grantees are                     grantee must provide sufficient                        cost of the hotel or motel stay is not paid
                                                  expected to offer the following                         information to demonstrate the                         by charitable organizations or by
                                                  supportive services: Housing                            frequency and type of service                          Federal, State, or local government
                                                  counseling; assisting participants in                   delivered.) Support for legal services                 programs for low-income individuals;
                                                  understanding leases; securing utilities;               can include paying for court filing fees                 (e) Is exiting a publicly funded
                                                  making moving arrangements; providing                   to assist a participant with issues that               institution or system of care (such as a
                                                  representative payee services                           interfere with the participant’s ability to            health care facility, a mental health
                                                  concerning rent and utilities when                      obtain or retain permanent housing or                  facility, or correctional institution)
                                                  needed; and mediation and outreach to                   supportive services, including issues                  without a stable housing plan; or
                                                  property owners related to locating or                  that affect the participant’s                            (f) Otherwise lives in housing that has
                                                  retaining housing. Grantees may also                    employability and financial security.                  characteristics associated with
                                                  assist participants by providing rental                 Grantees (in addition to employees and                 instability and an increased risk of
                                                  assistance, security or utility deposits,               members of grantees) may represent                     homelessness, as identified in the
                                                  moving costs or emergency supplies; or                  participants before VA with respect to a               recipient’s approved screening tool.
                                                  using other Federal resources, such as                  claim for VA benefits, but only if they                  8. SSVF grantees are required to
                                                  the HUD’s ESG, or supportive services                   are recognized for that purpose pursuant               participate in local planning efforts
                                                  grant funds subject to the limitations                  to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 59. Further, the                  designed to end Veteran homelessness.
                                                  described in this NOFA and 38 CFR                       individual providing such                              Grantees may use grant funds to support
                                                  62.34.                                                  representation must be accredited                      SSVF involvement in such community
                                                     2. As SSVF is a short-term crisis                    pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 59.                      planning by sub-contracting with CoCs,
                                                  intervention, grantees must develop                        5. Access to mental health and                      when such funding is essential to create
                                                  plans that will produce sufficient                      addiction services are required by SSVF;               or sustain the development of these data
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                                                  income to sustain Veteran participants                  however, grantees cannot fund these                    driven plans.
                                                  in permanent housing after the                          services directly through the SSVF                       9. When other funds from community
                                                  conclusion of the SSVF intervention.                    grant. Therefore, applicants must                      resources are not readily available to
                                                  Grantees must ensure the availability of                demonstrate, through either formal or                  assist program participants, grantees
                                                  employment and vocational services                      informal agreements, their ability to                  may choose to utilize supportive
                                                  either through the direct provision of                  promote rapid access and engagement to                 services grants, to the extent described
                                                  these services or their availability                    mental health and addiction services for               in this NOFA and in 38 CFR 62.33 and
                                                  through formal or informal service                      the Veteran and family members.                        62.34, to provide temporary financial


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices                                            2315

                                                  assistance. Such assistance may, subject                  5. Applicants should fill out separate               grants under the SSVF Program must be
                                                  to the limitations in this NOFA and 38                  applications for each supportive                       received by the SSVF Program Office by
                                                  CFR part 62, be paid directly to a third                services renewal funding request.                      4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 5,
                                                  party on behalf of a participant for child                D. Supportive Services Grant Award                   2016. Awards made for supportive
                                                  care, transportation, family emergency                  Period: Grant awards are generally made                services grants will fund operations
                                                  housing assistance, rental assistance,                  for a 1-year period, although selected                 beginning October 1, 2016. Applications
                                                  utility-fee payment assistance, security                grants may be eligible for a 3-year award              must arrive as a complete package.
                                                  or utility deposits, moving costs and                   (see VI.C.6). All grants are eligible to be            Materials arriving separately will not be
                                                  general housing stability assistance as                 renewed subject to the availability of                 included in the application package for
                                                  necessary.                                              funding.                                               consideration and may result in the
                                                                                                          III. Eligibility Information                           application being rejected. Additionally,
                                                  II. Award Information                                                                                          in the interest of fairness to all
                                                                                                             A. Eligible Applicants: Only eligible               competing applicants, this deadline is
                                                    A. Overview: This NOFA announces
                                                                                                          entities that are existing grantees can                firm as to date and hour, and VA will
                                                  the availability of funds for supportive
                                                                                                          apply in response to this NOFA. In                     treat as ineligible for consideration any
                                                  services grants under the SSVF Program
                                                                                                          order to be eligible, an applicant must                application that is received after the
                                                  and pertains to proposals for renewal of
                                                                                                          qualify as a private non-profit                        deadline. Applicants should take this
                                                  existing supportive services grant
                                                                                                          organization (section 501(c)(3) or                     practice into account and make early
                                                  programs. New applications for SSVF
                                                                                                          501(c)(19) tax exempt status is required)              submission of their materials to avoid
                                                  grant awards will not be funded through
                                                                                                          or a consumer cooperative as defined in                any risk of loss of eligibility brought
                                                  this NOFA. Up to $300 million will be
                                                                                                          38 U.S.C. 2044(f). In addition, tribally               about by unanticipated delays,
                                                  available through this NOFA.
                                                                                                          designated housing entities (as defined                computer service outages, or other
                                                    B. Funding: To be eligible for renewal                in section 4 of the Native American                    delivery-related problems.
                                                  of a supportive services grant, the                     Housing Assistance and Self-                              D. Intergovernmental Review: This
                                                  grantee’s program concept must be                       Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.                   section is not applicable to the SSVF
                                                  substantially the same with the program                 4103)) are eligible.                                   Program.
                                                  concept of the grantee’s current grant                     B. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.                     E. Funding Restrictions: Up to $300
                                                  award. Renewal applications can                                                                                million may be awarded depending on
                                                  request funding that is equal to or less                IV. Application and Submission
                                                                                                                                                                 funding availability and subject to
                                                  than their current award. If sufficient                 Information
                                                                                                                                                                 available appropriations for supportive
                                                  funding is available, VA may provide an                    A. Address to Request Application                   services grants to be funded under this
                                                  increase of up to 2 percent from the                    Package: Download directly from the                    NOFA. Applicants should fill out
                                                  previous year’s award. Any percentage                   SSVF Program Web site at www.va.gov/                   separate applications for each
                                                  increase, if provided, will be awarded                  homeless/ssvf.asp or send a written                    supportive services funding request.
                                                  uniformly to all grant recipients                       request for an application to SSVF                     Funding will be awarded under this
                                                  regardless of their grant award. As                     Program Office, National Center on                     NOFA to existing grantees for a 1- to 3-
                                                  provided in section V.5., VA may in its                 Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100                      year period beginning October 1, 2016.
                                                  discretion offer to award a non-renewed                 Chester Avenue, Suite 201,                                F. Other Submission Requirements:
                                                  grant to the highest-ranked applicant                   Philadelphia, PA 19104. Any questions                     1. Applicants may apply only as
                                                  that is awarded a renewal grant in the                  regarding this process should be                       renewal applicants using the
                                                  same community as, or a proximate                       referred to the SSVF Program Office via                application designed for renewal grants.
                                                  community to, the non-renewed grant,                    phone at (877) 737–0111 (toll-free                        2. At the discretion of VA, multiple
                                                  so long as that applicant has the                       number) or via email at SSVF@va.gov.                   grant proposals submitted by the same
                                                  capacity to promptly begin providing                    For detailed SSVF Program information                  lead agency may be combined into a
                                                  services in connection with all awards.                 and requirements, see 38 CFR 62.                       single grant award if the proposals
                                                  In such instance, the amount of the                        B. Content and Form of Application:                 provide services to contiguous areas.
                                                  award will be equal to or less than the                 Applicants are strongly encouraged to                  Any funds awarded pursuant to section
                                                  prior award which was not renewed.                      submit applications electronically                     V.5. will be combined into a single
                                                    C. Allocation of Funds: Funding will                  following instructions found at                        award.
                                                  be awarded under this NOFA to existing                  www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.                             3. Additional supportive services
                                                  grantees for a 1- to 3-year period                      Alternatively, applicants can mail in                  grant application requirements are
                                                  beginning October 1, 2016. The                          applications. If mailed, applicants must               specified in the application package.
                                                  following requirements apply to                         submit two completed collated, hard                    Submission of an incorrect or
                                                  supportive services grants awarded                      copies of the application and two CDs                  incomplete application package will
                                                  under this NOFA:                                        containing electronic versions of the                  result in the application being rejected
                                                                                                          entire application are required. Each                  during threshold review. The
                                                    1. In response to this NOFA, only
                                                                                                          application copy must (i) be fastened                  application packages must contain all
                                                  existing grantees can apply.
                                                                                                          with a binder clip, and (ii) contain tabs              required forms and certifications.
                                                    2. Each grant request cannot exceed                   listing the major sections of and exhibits             Selections will be made based on
                                                  the current award.                                      to the application. Each CD must be                    criteria described in 38 CFR part 62 and
                                                    3. Applicants may request an amount                   labeled with the applicant’s name and                  this NOFA. Applicants and grantees
                                                  less than their current award (this will
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                                                                                                          must contain an electronic copy of the                 will be notified of any additional
                                                  not be considered a substantial change                  entire application. A budget template                  information needed to confirm or clarify
                                                  to the program concept).                                must be attached in Excel format on the                information provided in the application
                                                    4. If a grantee failed to use all of                  CD, but all other application materials                and the deadline by which to submit
                                                  awarded funds in the previous fiscal                    may be attached in a PDF or other                      such information. Applicants are
                                                  year (2016), VA may elect to limit                      format.                                                strongly encouraged to submit
                                                  renewal award to the amount of funds                       C. Submission Dates and Times:                      applications electronically. If mailed,
                                                  used in the previous fiscal year.                       Applications for supportive services                   applications and CDs must be submitted


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                                                  2316                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  to the following address: SSVF Program                     2. Rank those applications who score                awarded a renewal grant in the same
                                                  Office, National Center on                              at least 75 cumulative points and                      community as, or a proximate
                                                  Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100                       receive at least one point under each of               community to, the non-renewed grant,
                                                  Chester Avenue, Suite 201,                              the categories identified for renewal                  so long as that applicant has the
                                                  Philadelphia, PA 19104. Applicants                      applicants in 38 CFR 62.24. The                        capacity to promptly begin providing
                                                  must submit two hard copies and two                     applications will be ranked in order                   services in connection with all awards.
                                                  CDs. Applications may not be sent by                    from highest to lowest scores in                       If that applicant declines the award, VA
                                                  facsimile (FAX).                                        accordance with 38 CFR 62.25.                          will offer the award to the next highest-
                                                                                                             3. Utilize the ranked scores of                     ranked applicant and continue in that
                                                  V. Application Review Information                       applications as the primary basis for                  manner until a qualifying grantee
                                                     A. Criteria:                                         selection. However, VA will also utilize               accepts the award.
                                                     1. VA will only score applicants that                the following considerations in 38 CFR
                                                  meet the following threshold                            62.23(d) to select applicants for funding:             VI. Award Administration Information
                                                  requirements:                                              (a) Give preference to applications                    A. Award Notices: Although subject
                                                     (a) The application is filed within the              that provide or coordinate the provision               to change, the SSVF Program Office
                                                  time period established in the NOFA,                    of supportive services for very low-                   expects to announce grant recipients for
                                                  and any additional information or                       income Veteran families transitioning                  all applicants in the fourth quarter of
                                                  documentation requested by VA under                     from homelessness to permanent                         fiscal year 2016 with grants beginning
                                                  38 CFR 62.20(c) is provided within the                  housing. Consistent with this                          October 1, 2016. Prior to executing a
                                                  time frame established by VA;                           preference, where other funds from                     funding agreement, VA will contact the
                                                     (b) The application is completed in all              community resources are not readily                    applicants and make known the amount
                                                  parts;                                                  available for temporary financial                      of proposed funding and verify that the
                                                     (c) The applicant is an eligible entity;             assistance, applicants are required to                 applicant would still like the funding.
                                                     (d) The activities for which the                     spend no less than 60 percent of all                   Once VA verifies that the applicant is
                                                  supportive services grant is requested                  budgeted temporary financial assistance                still seeking funding, VA will execute
                                                  are eligible for funding under 38 CFR                   on participants occupying permanent                    an agreement and make payments to the
                                                  part 62;                                                housing as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b)).                grant recipient in accordance with 38
                                                     (e) The applicant’s proposed                         Waivers to this 60 percent requirement                 CFR part 62 and this NOFA.
                                                  participants are eligible to receive                    may be requested when grantees can                        B. Administrative and National Policy
                                                  supportive services under this part;                    demonstrate significant local progress                 Requirements: It is VA policy to support
                                                     (f) The applicant agrees to comply                   towards eliminating homelessness in                    a ‘‘Housing First’’ model in addressing
                                                  with the requirements of 38 CFR part                    the target service area. Waiver requests               and ending homelessness. Housing First
                                                  62;                                                     must include data from authoritative                   establishes housing stability as the
                                                     (g) The applicant does not have an                   sources such as HUD’s Annual                           primary intervention in working with
                                                  outstanding obligation to the Federal                   Homeless Assessment Report, annual                     homeless persons. The Housing First
                                                  Government that is in arrears and does                  Point-In-Time Counts and evidence of                   approach is based on research that
                                                  not have an overdue or unsatisfactory                   decreased demand for emergency                         shows that a homeless individual or
                                                  response to an audit; and                               shelter and transitional housing.                      household’s first and primary need is to
                                                     (h) The applicant is not in default by               Waivers for the 60 percent requirement                 obtain stable housing, and that other
                                                  failing to meet the requirements for any                may also be requested for services                     issues that may affect the household can
                                                  previous Federal assistance.                            provided to rural Indian tribal areas and              and should be addressed as housing is
                                                     2. VA will use the following criteria                other rural areas where shelter capacity               obtained. Housing is not contingent on
                                                  to score grantees applying for renewal of               is insufficient to meet local need.                    compliance with services; instead,
                                                  a supportive services grant:                            Waiver requests must include an                        participants must comply with a
                                                     (a) VA will award up to 55 points                    endorsement by the impacted CoC                        standard lease agreement and are
                                                  based on the success of the grantee’s                   explicitly stating that a shift in                     provided with the services and supports
                                                  program.                                                resources from rapid re-housing to                     that are necessary to help them do so
                                                     (b) VA will award up to 30 points                    prevention will not result in an increase              successfully. Research supports this
                                                  based on the cost-effectiveness of the                  in homelessness.                                       approach as an effective means to end
                                                  grantee’s program.                                         (b) To the extent practicable, ensure               homelessness.
                                                     (c) VA will award up to 15 points                    that supportive services grants are                       Consistent with the Housing First
                                                  based on the extent to which the                        equitably distributed across geographic                model supported by VA, grantees are
                                                  grantee’s program complies with SSVF                    regions, including rural communities                   expected to offer the following
                                                  Program goals and requirements.                         and tribal lands. This equitable                       supportive services: Housing
                                                     3. VA will use the following process                 distribution criteria will be used to                  counseling; assisting participants in
                                                  to select applicants to receive                         ensure that SSVF resources are provided                understanding leases; securing utilities;
                                                  supportive services grants: VA will                     to those communities with the highest                  making moving arrangements; providing
                                                  score all applicants that meet the                      need as identified by authoritative                    representative payee services
                                                  threshold requirements set forth in 38                  sources such as HUD’s Annual                           concerning rent and utilities when
                                                  CFR 62.21 using the scoring criteria set                Homeless Assessment Report, annual                     needed; and mediation and outreach to
                                                  forth in 38 CFR 62.24.                                  Point-In-Time Counts and VA Homeless                   property owners related to locating or
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                                                     B. Review and Selection Process: VA                  Registry data.                                         retaining housing. Grantees may also
                                                  will review all supportive services                        4. Subject to the considerations noted              assist participants by providing rental
                                                  renewal grant applications in response                  in paragraph B.3 above, VA will fund                   assistance, security or utility deposits,
                                                  to this NOFA according to the following                 the highest-ranked applicants for which                moving costs or emergency supplies,
                                                  steps:                                                  funding is available.                                  using other Federal resources, such as
                                                     1. Score all applications that meet the                 5. VA may in its discretion offer to                the ESG, or supportive services grant
                                                  threshold requirements described in 38                  award a non-renewed grant to the                       funds to the extent described in this
                                                  CFR 62.21.                                              highest-ranked applicant that is                       NOFA and 38 CFR 62.34.


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices                                            2317

                                                     As SSVF grants cannot be used to                     housing retention rates for at-risk                      1. Veteran families earning less than
                                                  fund treatment for mental health or                     participants are expected for very-low                 30 percent of area median income as
                                                  substance use disorders, applicants                     income Veteran families when                           most recently published by HUD for
                                                  must provide evidence that they can                     compared to extremely low-income                       programs under section 8 of the United
                                                  provide access to such services to all                  Veteran families with incomes below 30                 States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
                                                  program participants through formal                     percent of the area median income.                     1437f) (http://www.huduser.org).
                                                  and informal agreements with                               6. Organizations receiving renewal                    2. Veterans with at least one
                                                  community providers.                                    awards and that have had ongoing SSVF                  dependent family member.
                                                     C. Reporting: VA places great                        program operation for at least 1 year (as                3. Veterans returning from Operation
                                                  emphasis on the responsibility and                      measured from the start of initial SSVF                Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
                                                  accountability of grantees. As described                services until January 16, 2016) may be                Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
                                                  in 38 CFR 62.63 and 62.71, VA has                       eligible for a 3-year award. Grantees                    4. Veteran families located in a
                                                  procedures in place to monitor                          meeting outcome goals defined by VA                    community, as defined by HUD’s CoC,
                                                  supportive services provided to                         and in substantial compliance with their               or a county not currently served by a
                                                  participants and outcomes associated                    grant agreements (defined by meeting                   SSVF grantee.
                                                  with the supportive services provided                   targets and having no outstanding                        5. Veteran families located in a
                                                  under the SSVF Program. Applicants                      corrective action plans) and who, in                   community, as defined by HUD’s CoC,
                                                  should be aware of the following:                       addition, receive 3-year accreditation                 where current level of SSVF services is
                                                     1. Upon execution of a supportive                    from the Commission on Accreditation                   not sufficient to meet demand of
                                                  services grant agreement with VA,                       of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in                 Category 2 and 3 (currently homeless)
                                                  grantees will have a VA regional                        Employment and Community Services:                     Veteran families.
                                                  coordinator assigned by the SSVF                        Rapid Rehousing and Homeless                             6. Veteran families located in a rural
                                                  Program Office who will provide                         Prevention standards or a 4-year                       area.
                                                  oversight and monitor supportive                        accreditation from the Council on                        7. Veteran families located on Indian
                                                  services provided to participants.                      Accreditation’s (COA) accreditation in                 Tribal Property.
                                                     2. Grantees will be required to enter                Supported Community Living Services                      B. Payments of Supportive Services
                                                  data into a Homeless Management                         standards are eligible for a 3-year grant              Grant Funds: Grantees will receive
                                                  Information System (HMIS) Web-based                     renewal subject to funding availability                payments electronically through the
                                                  software application. This data will                    (NOTE: Multi-year awards are                           U.S. Department of Health and Human
                                                  consist of information on the                           contingent on funding availability). If                Services Payment Management System.
                                                  participants served and types of                        awarded a multiple year renewal,                       Grantees will have the ability to request
                                                  supportive services provided by                         grantees may be eligible for funding                   payments as frequently as they choose
                                                  grantees. Grantees must treat the data                  increases as defined in NOFAs that                     subject to the following limitations:
                                                  for activities funded by the SSVF                       correspond to years 2 and 3 of their                     1. During the first quarter of the
                                                  Program separate from that of activities                renewal funding.                                       grantee’s supportive services annualized
                                                  funded by other programs. Grantees will                                                                        grant award period, the grantee’s
                                                  be required to work with their HMIS                     VII. Agency Contact                                    cumulative requests for supportive
                                                  Administrators to export client-level                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:     John              services grant funds may not exceed 35
                                                  data for activities funded by the SSVF                  Kuhn, Supportive SSVF Program Office,                  percent of the total supportive services
                                                  Program to VA on at least a monthly                     National Center on Homelessness                        grant award without written approval by
                                                  basis.                                                  Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue,                   VA.
                                                     3. VA shall complete annual                          Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (877)                 2. By the end of the second quarter of
                                                  monitoring evaluations of each grantee.                 737–0111 (this is a toll-free number);                 the grantee’s supportive services
                                                  Monitoring will also include the                        SSVF@va.gov.                                           annualized grant award period, the
                                                  submittal of quarterly and annual                                                                              grantee’s cumulative requests for
                                                  financial and performance reports by                    VIII. Other Information                                supportive services grant funds may not
                                                  the grantee. The grantee will be                           A. VA Goals and Objectives for Funds                exceed 60 percent of the total
                                                  expected to demonstrate adherence to                    Awarded Under this NOFA: In                            supportive services grant award without
                                                  the grantee’s proposed program concept,                 accordance with 38 CFR 62.24(c), VA                    written approval by VA.
                                                  as described in the grantee’s                           will evaluate an applicant’s compliance                  3. By the end of the third quarter of
                                                  application. All grantees are subject to                with VA goals and requirements for the                 the grantee’s supportive services
                                                  audits conducted by the VA Financial                    SSVF Program. VA goals and                             annualized grant award period, the
                                                  Services Center.                                        requirements include the provision of                  grantee’s cumulative requests for
                                                     4. Grantees will be required to                      supportive services designed to enhance                supportive services grant funds may not
                                                  provide each participant with a                         the housing stability and independent                  exceed 80 percent of the total
                                                  satisfaction survey which can be                        living skills of very low-income Veteran               supportive services grant award without
                                                  submitted by the participant directly to                families occupying permanent housing                   written approval by VA.
                                                  VA within 30 days of such participant’s                 across geographic regions and program                    4. By the end of the fourth quarter of
                                                  pending exit from the grantee’s program.                administration in accordance with all                  the grantee’s supportive services
                                                     5. Grantees will be assessed based on                applicable laws, regulations, and                      annualized grant award period, the
                                                  their ability to meet critical performance              guidelines. For purposes of this NOFA,                 grantee’s cumulative requests for
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                                                  measures. In addition to meeting                        VA goals and requirements also include                 supportive services grant funds may not
                                                  program requirements defined by the                     the provision of supportive services                   exceed 100 percent of the total
                                                  regulations and applicable NOFA(s),                     designed to rapidly re-house or prevent                supportive services grant award.
                                                  grantees will be assessed on their ability              homelessness among people in the
                                                  to place participants into housing and                  following target populations who also                  Signing Authority
                                                  the housing retention rates of                          meet all requirements for being part of                  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
                                                  participants served. Higher placement                   a very low-income Veteran family                       designee, approved this document and
                                                  for homeless participants and higher                    occupying permanent housing:                           authorized the undersigned to sign and


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                                                  2318                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  submit the document to the Office of the                Department of Veterans Affairs,                          Dated: January 12, 2016.
                                                  Federal Register for publication                        approved this document on January 7,                   Michael P. Shores,
                                                  electronically as an official document of               2016, for publication.                                 Chief Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation
                                                  the Department of Veterans Affairs.                                                                            Policy & Management, Office of the General
                                                  Robert L. Nabors II, Chief of Staff,                                                                           Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
                                                                                                                                                                 [FR Doc. 2016–00727 Filed 1–14–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                 BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:32:23
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:32:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of fund availability.
DatesApplications 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 5, 2016. 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.
ContactMr. John Kuhn, Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Office, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, 4100 Chester Avenue, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19104; [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 2312 

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