ROCKEFELLER, MANCHIN, RAHALL ANNOUNCE $3.6M TO PREVENT VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN WV

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced $3,657,708 in federal funding to help prevent and end veteran homelessness in West Virginia.

“The thought of any veteran living in the streets is heartbreaking, and it’s unacceptable. We owe our brave men and women, who served our nation so bravely and selflessly, the opportunity to have a place they can call home,” said Rockefeller, the longest serving member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “This funding is an important investment in the future and well-being of our West Virginia veterans and their families, and it is a way for us to show our veterans we are grateful for their service.”

“One of our country’s biggest challenges is the number of our veterans who are returning home and struggling with homelessness and unemployment,” said Manchin. “These courageous men and women are American heroes, serving with honor to defend our freedoms. They have answered the call to duty and all our veterans and their families deserve a roof over their heads and an opportunity to build a bright future for themselves and their loved ones. I am pleased that West Virginia is receiving this significant funding to provide assistance to our veterans in need.”

“As increasing numbers of our military members return home, our veterans and their families must confront enormous challenges and burdens as they transition to civilian life. This type of assistance helps to ensure our veterans have a place to call home and gives them a solid foundation to readjust and rebuild,” said Rahall, who is a member of the House Military Veterans Caucus.  “I will continue to work in Washington to push for the funding, manpower and resources the VA needs to give our veterans all possible assistance.”

The funding, from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, will help non-profits and consumer cooperatives that provide services for low-income veterans and veteran families living in or transitioning to permanent housing. The program aims to prevent veterans from becoming homeless and quickly assists those veterans who have recently fallen into homelessness. With this funding, community organizations can connect veterans with the VA for mental health care services and other benefits, and the organizations can offer temporary financial assistance during the transition to permanent housing.
The funding awards include:

• $299,821 – Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center – Charleston, WV: Roark-Sullivan Life Way Center will serve approximately 120 participant households in Kanawha, Cabell, and Wayne Counties
• $130,404 – Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless – Wheeling, WV: The Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless will serve approximately 25 participant households in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, and Wetzel Counties.
• $185,621 – Helping Heroes – Moundsville, WV: Helping Heroes will serve approximately 31 participant households in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, and Wetzel Counties.
• $2,000,000 – West Virginia Community Action Partnerships – Charleston, WV: West Virginia Community Action Partnerships will serve approximately 800 participant households in Boone, Clay, Putnam, and Wayne Counties, as well as the Wheeling/Weirton area, the Huntington Area, and Charleston.

• $191,128 –Future Generations – Franklin, WV: Future Generations will serve approximately 78 participant households in Boone, Clay, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Putnam, and Wyoming Counties.
• $850,734 – Volunteers of America of Kentucky – Lexington, KY: Volunteers of America of Kentucky will serve approximately 200 participant households in Boone, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Putnam, and Wayne Counties in West Virginia, and will also assist veterans in Ohio.