The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the allocation of $26.8 million in legal services grants to 108 public and non-profit organizations. The initiative aims to enhance access to legal services for eligible Veterans who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
Ending Veteran homelessness remains a top priority for both the VA and the Biden-Harris Administration. These grant funds, provided under the VA’s Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant Program, more than double the total funding from last year and represent a 37% increase in grantees.
"Every Veteran deserves access to safe, affordable and permanent housing, and we know that legal support is among the most needed services by Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness," said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. "Through these grants, we are working hard to ensure Veterans’ unique civil legal needs are met and drive towards our ultimate goal of ending homelessness for all Veterans and their families."
The grant program is authorized by the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. It mandates that at least 10% of funding supports legal services for women Veterans. Individual grants can be up to $300,000 for a 14-month cycle starting August 1, 2024.
Grant recipients will offer various legal services including:
- Representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction.
- Assistance with court proceedings related to child support, custody, or estate planning.
- Help in obtaining benefits such as disability compensation.
- Defense in criminal cases that may prolong or increase the risk of homelessness.
- Upgrading characterization of discharges or dismissals from the Armed Forces.
These legal services are part of VA's broader efforts to eliminate Veteran homelessness. The department aims to place at least 41,000 homeless Veterans into permanent housing this year. Since early 2020, the number of homeless Veterans has decreased by nearly 5%, with a more than 52% reduction since 2010. Additionally, VA has expanded healthcare access for homeless Veterans and called for a moratorium on foreclosures for those with VA-guaranteed loans.
Today's grant awards complement other government programs aimed at assisting at-risk Veterans. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program announced $57 million in funding to help homeless Veterans re-enter the workforce.
For more information on this year's grantees, visit Legal Services for Veterans or email lsv@va.gov.
