Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Anna G. Eshoo & Mike Honda Announce Over $400,000 in Assistance for Homeless Veterans in Santa Clara County

Press Release

Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Mike Honda (D-Campbell) announced today that Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County, Inc., has been awarded a $419,948.00 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for housing programs assisting homeless veterans. The grant, which will help support fifty-two participating households, is part of the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program improving housing stability for very low-income veterans and their families.

"Veterans and their families are vulnerable for becoming homeless through illness, job loss, or an injury they sustained while serving our country," Rep. Zoe Lofgren said. "Democrats are committed to helping our returning veterans. Thanks to programs such as the SSVF grant program, community organizations can help prevent at-risk veterans from losing their homes and offer outreach services to help them get back on their feet and rebuild their lives."

"When veterans return home, our commitment to ensuring they have life's basic necessities, from health care to housing, must be unwavering," Rep. Anna G. Eshoo said. "These awards will go a long way to assist our returning veterans and their families who have made such enormous sacrifices for our country."

"I am delighted that the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has renewed funding to a pair of fantastic organizations, Emergency Housing Consortium of Santa Clara County and the Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County, as part of its expanding Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program," said Rep. Mike Honda. "This type of funding is absolutely essential to the well-being of our veterans, who have so valiantly served our country. In their time of need, it is our duty to ensure that low-income Veteran families, living in or transitioning to permanent housing, are guaranteed the supportive services that they deserve.

"The $307,885 allocated to the Emergency Housing Consortium will serve approximately 56 participant households in Santa Clara, while the $420,000 granted to Goodwill Industries will serve 52 participant households in south Alameda, Santa Clara, San Benito, and San Mateo Counties," Rep. Honda noted. "I am committed to providing our veterans with the programs, services, and benefits they deserve for risking their lives to defend America. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I made sure that H.R. 5854, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Act of 2013, provided $71.7 billion in discretionary funding, which is the same level as the 2012 fiscal year. In Congress, I will continue to fight for increased funding to agencies that provide essential programs like SSVF - a key part of the urgent national mission to end homelessness among veterans."

A Santa Clara County report estimated that on any given night in 2011, Santa Clara County had a homeless veteran population of 667 persons, down from 866 in 2009 thanks to programs such as this that allow organizations like Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County to provide a range of services to very low-income veteran families living in -- or transitioning to -- permanent housing. Those community organizations provide a range of services that promote housing stability among eligible very low income veteran families.

Under the grants, homeless providers will offer veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in getting other public benefits. They can also offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.

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