Menendez, Booker Announce Nearly $5.5M to Combat Veteran Homelessness in NJ

NEWARK, NJ – September 15, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — US Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) today announced $5,478,156 in federal funding to help homeless veterans in New Jersey find supportive services and a place to call home. This grant is part of the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“This federal funding will go a long way in helping ensure New Jersey veterans going through tough times have access to permanent housing and critical support services they deserve,” said Senator Menendez. “No man or woman who has risked their life to serve our country should ever find themselves without a roof over their family’s head. It is our duty as a nation to adequately care for our servicemembers who bravely served to protect our country’s freedom.”

“We owe not just our gratitude but our support to the thousands of New Jerseyans who have valiantly served our country but now struggle with homelessness,” said Senator Booker. “The renewal of this funding for SSVF programs in New Jersey will ensure that partner organizations throughout the state can continue to serve homeless Veterans and their families with care and compassion.”

Under the SSVF program, the VA offers community-based organizations grants to promote housing stability among very low-income Veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing. These grants provide eligible veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and other benefits.

Today’s announcement will reach New Jersey veterans through four organizations:

• $1,027,136 Community Hope, Inc. (Essex, Mercer, Monmouth, Passaic)
• $1,772,974 Catholic Family and Community Service (Hudson, Essex, Bergen, Union, Passaic, Morris & Sussex)
• $678,046 to North Hudson Community Action Corporation (Hudson & Bergen)
• $2,000,000 to Soldier On, Inc. (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Mercer)

SSVF served 127,829 participants in fiscal year (FY) 2014 and is on track to serve 135,000 Veterans and their family members by the end of FY 2015. As a result of these and other efforts, Veteran homelessness is down significantly since the launch of the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in 2010.

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Press Contact
Juan_Pachon (at) menendez.senate (dot) gov