#265 Benefits Breakdown: SSVF Program

SSVF is a program administered by VA to rapidly rehouse Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. National director of the SSVF program, John Kuhn, joins this episode of Borne the Battle to speak on the following:

• How the SSVF operates and what resources eligible Veterans can receive from utilizing it (2:18)
• An overview of the requirements organizations must meet before becoming a SSVF provider (5:02)
• How a local nonprofit can become a SSVF partner (6:04) 
• Additional VA resources available for Veterans needing eviction protections, homelessness avoidance, and rapid rehousing resources (8:00)

And unlike many VA-backed programs, enrolling into SSVF does not require any interaction with VA. Instead, an eligible Veteran simply needs to call or email their county’s SSVF partnered nonprofit or consumer cooperative to start receiving SSVF assistance.

OPEN THIS EXCEL FILE TO FIND YOUR 2022 SSVF PROVIDER

The SSVF Program Office also provides its Shallow Subsidy service. The Shallow Subsidy provides rental assistance to low-income and extremely low-income Veterans who are enrolled in SSVF Rapid Rehousing or Homeless Prevention projects. And the Shallow Subsidy service is designed to incentivize recipients to raise their income by fixing the money they receive for two years. That means SSVF recipients can increase their income or benefits without the fear of losing their subsidies.

For Veterans experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness and where SSVF assistance is not sufficient, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program will be able to help.

Check out this Borne the Battle episode featuring HUD-VASH national director Meghan Deal for more details.   

Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department also has funds available to assist households unable to pay rent or utilities through its Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

There is a variety of services and programs ready to help Veterans and their families overcome homelessness. However, not enough people know that these programs exist. SSVF aims to close that gap by connecting Veterans with housing support experts in their local communities. These people who can provide relevant and specialized support to meet any eligible Veteran’s needs.

Of course, they need your help spreading the word about their program as well.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran Lawrence Brooks

Additional information:

• Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are encouraged to contact National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. They can also visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.
• VA seeks feedback to guide new copayment waiver program for Veterans at risk for suicide
• VA health records now display gender identity
• VA designates flexible funding to support homeless Veterans