Landrieu Announces $1.4M for La. Homeless Veterans

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced $1.4 million in grants for Louisiana organizations to prevent homelessness among veterans. The funding is awarded through the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) Program, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' initiative to end homelessness among veterans.

"Our veterans have provided a great service to our country, and many have spent months if not years overseas; when they come home, they should be met with the best quality of life possible. Instead, too many are struggling to find housing, which is completely unacceptable," Sen. Landrieu said. "I am proud to announce these grants, and I am confident they will help ensure that our veterans have the resources they need to secure decent housing."

Today's funding is part of a total $100 million in homeless prevention grants awarded through the VA's SSVF Program to 151 non-profit community agencies in the U.S. The program aims to improve low-income veteran families' housing stability, and the funding will go toward supportive services for these families, whether they are living in or transitioning to permanent housing.

The funding includes:

- $444,000 for the Wellspring Alliance for Families, Inc. in Monroe, La. The organization plans to serve approximately 100 households in Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Franklin, Caldwell and West Carroll Parishes.

- $1 million for the Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans to serve approximately 250 households throughout Louisiana.

Sen. Landrieu has been a longtime advocate for military families. In May, she secured language in the FY2013 Military Construction and Veterans spending bill urging the Air Force to prioritize projects to improve quality of life efforts on and around installations, particularly those supporting major commands. This is particularly important for Barksdale Air Force Base, which has seen an influx of nearly 1,000 airmen and their families since 2008. She also secured language in the bill encouraging the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve response to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

On March 9, the Veterans Administration announced to the Louisiana Congressional Delegation that it made errors during the solicitation for offers to build the clinics, resulting in delays of a year or more. During a meeting on March 22 that Sen. Landrieu hosted, high-ranking VA officials committed to providing Sen. Landrieu and members of the delegation monthly status updates on the progress of the two clinics. Also in the FY2013 Military Construction and Veterans spending bill, she secured a provision requiring these monthly updates.

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