04-15967. Fund Availability Under VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

AGENCY:

Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This notice contains information concerning the program, application process, and amount of funding available.

DATES:

An original completed and collated grant application (plus three completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and Per Diem Field Office on August 17, 2004. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (fax). 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 material to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.

For a Copy of the Application Package: Download directly from VA's Grant and Per Diem Program Web page at: http://www.va.gov/​ homeless/page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334. For a document relating to the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, see the final rule codified at title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 61.0.

Submission of Application: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three copies) must be submitted to the following address: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Field Office, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617. Applications must be received in the Grant and Per Diem Field office by the application deadline. 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 or not funded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 North 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice announces the availability of funds for assistance under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program for eligible non-profit entities with expertise in preparing grant applications relating to the provision of assistance for homeless veterans to: Provide technical assistance to those non-profit community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to homeless veterans in order to help such groups apply for grants under the final rule, published in the Federal Register, September 26, 2003, or to apply for other grants from any source for addressing the problems of homeless veterans.

Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001, authorizes this program. Funding applied for under this notice may be used for: (a) Group or individual seminars providing general instructions concerning grant applications; (b) Group or individual seminars providing instructions for applying for a specific grant; or (c) Group or individual instruction for preparing analyses to be included in a grant application. Seminars (course of instruction) may be delivered in electronic, face-to-face, and correspondence methodologies (e.g., Internet based training, video teleconferencing, computer media such as CD or disk).

Entities that are interested in providing technical assistance should be aware that historically the Grant and Per Diem Program office receives over 1,200 nationwide inquiries per Notice of Fund Availability from prospective applicants. It is estimated that an additional 1,000 inquiries are received nationwide at VA Medical Center Homeless Programs. From these inquiries, VA has seen an increase in the number of applicants each year. Approximately 100 to 300 applications per funding round have been received in past responses to Notices of Fund Availability (NOFAs) under VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. Additionally, faith-based organizations that are capable of providing supported housing and/or supportive service center services for homeless veterans have figured prominently into the mix of non-profit organizations seeking funding. Approximately 2500 beds in 115 programs have come from faith-based organizations. Those entities applying to provide technical assistance should consider not only the numbers but the diversity of the service provider seeking assistance when establishing their service plans.

The applicant for this funding will be expected to develop an integrated technical assistance plan, using funds for purposes as specified in this NOFA, the objectives of the program rules and regulations, as well as the intent of Public Law 107-95, to offer technical assistance to agencies in their-specified target area. Applicants should take note that they will be held accountable to provide to VA documentation that demonstrates the objectives of technical training are being met throughout the course of the award cycle and documentation that clearly demonstrates the completion of technical assistance objectives were met, cumulatively, at the end of the funding period. Also, VA intends to conduct both fiscal and performance reviews at least bi-annually of the awarded agency(s). The technical assistance should not only raise the awareness of providers regarding the availability of funds to assist homeless veterans but also increase providers' proficiency in applying for funds to assist homeless veterans. Applicants should take the aforementioned into consideration when developing a technical assistance plan. Outcomes measures that are specific and measurable should be an integral part of the technical assistance plan that is submitted in the application.

Grant applicants may not receive assistance to replace funds provided by any State or local government for the same purpose.

Authority: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is authorized by Public Law 107-95, section 5(a)(1), the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 codified at title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064 and has been extended through Fiscal Year 2005. The program is implemented by the final rule codified at title 38 CFR 61.0. The regulations can be found in their entirety in title 38 CFR 61.0 through 61.82. Funds made available under this notice are subject to the requirements of those regulations.

Allocation: Approximately $1.5 million is available for the technical assistance grant component of this program. Funding will be for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of award.

Funding Priorities: None.

Application Requirements: The specific grant application requirements will be specified in the application package. The package includes all required forms and certifications. Selections will be made based on criteria described in the application. Applicants who are selected will be notified of any additional information needed to confirm or clarify information provided in the application. Applicants will then be notified of the time in which to submit such information. If an applicant is unable to meet any conditions for grant award within the specified time frame, VA reserves the right to not award funds and to use the funds available for other grant and per diem applicants.

Dated: July 8, 2004.

Anthony J. Principi,

Secretary of Veterans Affairs.