Washington - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has awarded over $2.7 million in homeless prevention grants to New Jersey non-profit community agencies. These awards were granted through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to assist homeless and at-risk veteran families.

"These awards will help ensure that New Jersey veterans have the shelter and services that they deserve," said Senator Menendez. "No man or woman who has risked their life to serve our country should be without a roof over their head. It is our duty as a nation to adequately care for the veterans who bravely served to protect our country's freedom."

"These federal grantswillprovide New Jersey veterans with the resources and assistance theyhave earned through their service," said Senator Lautenberg, an Army veteran anda member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which funds the Department of Veterans Affairs. "While we have made great strides in reducing the rate of homelessness among our veterans, there is much more work to be done,andI will continue fighting for assistance to New Jersey's veterans."

SSVF provides grants to private non-profit and consumer cooperatives that serve eligible Veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance obtaining benefits including housing, healthcare, and legal services.

These funds will reach New Jersey veterans through three organizations:

RECIPIENT

AMOUNT

FAMILIES SERVED




United Veterans of America, Inc. (Soldier On)

$1,000,000

400

Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden, Inc.

$744,740

240

Community Hope, Inc.

$991,977

140

Soldier On works with the Department of Veteran Affairs to improve the lives of veterans by providing them with shelter and support. They will partner with local veterans service offices to implement these funds in New Jersey.

The Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden provides services to the poor and needy in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Community Hope provides counseling and crisis intervention services for veterans in Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties.

Click Here for more information about VA's homeless programs.

Click Here for details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.

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