SSVF: Program Update Friday December 27th, 2019

From: Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2019 8:03 AM
Subject: SSVF Program Update Friday December 27th, 2019

Topics:

1.Reminder: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Published in the Federal Register
2.Update:  SSVF Program Guide Updated December 2019
3.Important: Mandatory Return of Funds Exception for First Quarter FY2020
4.Save the Date: Rapid Resolution Office Hours Call January 8, 2:30 Eastern
5.Save the Date: SSVF National Webinar January
6.New: Shared Housing Toolkit
7.New: VA Releases SSVF FY 2018 Annual Report


Reminder: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Published in the Federal Register

On December 5, 2019, a new SSVF NOFA has been published in the Federal Register. This NOFA provides funding opportunities to renew existing grants. This NOFA is competitive, and applicants are urged to closely review the NOFA and the associated training available on the SSVF website by using the link below.  The principal goal of this NOFA is to provide support to those applicants who demonstrate the greatest capacity to end homelessness through the adoption of evidence-based practices likely to lead to reductions in homelessness.  Scoring criteria are described in 38 CFR 62.21, 62.23, and 62.24. Awards are for services to begin October 1, 2020. Applications are due no later than January 31, 2020 at 4pm EST. Please contact SSVF@va.gov if you have questions.

Applications can be accessed on the SSVF website using the link below:

https://www.grantrequest.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fapplication.aspx%3fSA%3dSNA%26FID%3d35230%26sid%3d2115&SA=SNA&FID=35230&sid=2115

The NOFA and training are available on the SSVF website and can be found using the link below:

https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp


Update: SSVF Program Guide Updated December 2019

The SSVF Program Guide has been updated as of December 1, 2019.  The main changes are provided in the attached summary, and in Exhibit I of the document. It is highly recommended that grantees review the complete guide and share with SSVF staff.   The new Program Guide is available on the SSVF website at:

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/SSVF_Program_Guide_December_2019.pdf


Important: Mandatory Return of Funds Exception for First Quarter FY2020

As stated in each SSVF grant agreement, at the end of each quarter a grantee's requests for SSVF funds (also known as draw-downs) must meet the minimum spending percentage rate outlined in the grant agreement.  Grantees that don't meet minimum spending percentage rates will be subject to a mandatory return of funds.  Please note that grantees do not submit physical invoices to the SSVF Program Office; therefore, expenditure rates are assessed using the draw down information in the HHS Payment Management System. As a reminder, the process requires grantees to have drawn down at least 15% of the full award by the end of the first quarter, 40% by the end of the second quarter, and 65% of the award by the end of the third quarter, if that standard is not met then a mandatory return is processed.

The program office will NOT be implementing the mandatory return of funds process after the first quarter.  Please note that the mandatory return process WILL be in effect after the second and third quarters of FY2020.  Shallow subsidy awards and grantees that have received Disaster Relief funds in FY2019 will be exempt from mandatory return of funds during the FY2020 grant year.   If you have any questions, please direct them to your Regional Coordinator.


Save the Date: Rapid Resolution Office Hours Call January 8, 2:30 Eastern

The SSVF Program Office will continue to support grantees in their efforts to implement Rapid Resolution in their communities by holding Office Hours calls. SSVF Program Office staff and Technical Assistance Providers will be available to answer questions and provide guidance during this time. The next SSVF Rapid Resolution Office Hours call will provide an overview of the updated Rapid Resolution Compliance guide and will take place on January 8, at 2:30 Eastern time.


Save the Date:  SSVF National Webinar January 9, 2:00 Eastern

The SSVF Program Office will present a webinar on effective use of SSVF Homelessness Prevention strategies.  The webinar will describe how the Stage 1 section of the SSVF Homelessness Prevention Screening Form has been revised to allow grantees to utilize the tool to determine Rapid Resolution eligibility.   Presenters will review the Stage 2 section of the Homelessness Prevention Screening Form to assist grantees in understanding how the tool is used to target assistance to Veterans most in need.   The webinar will provide tips for determining the Homelessness Prevention Threshold Score for your SSVF program and will take place on January 9, at 2:00 Eastern time.


New: SSVF Shared Housing Toolkit

Shared housing can be an effective strategy used by SSVF providers to help Veterans gain access to stable, affordable housing.     While shared housing can have many financial and social benefits for Veterans, incorporating shared housing practices into SSVF programs can be challenging for providers.   The SSVF Program Office in partnership with Abt Associates has developed a Shared Housing Toolkit to assist SSVF grantees seeking to incorporate shared housing into their SSVF programs or to improve existing shared housing practices.  This toolkit is designed to discuss what shared housing is, why shared housing may meet the needs of the Veterans served, when roommate matching may be appropriate, and how to speak with landlords about shared housing.  Resources linked within the document include ideas for promising practices as well as SSVF grantee sample forms.

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/Shared_Housing_Toolkit_FINAL.pdf


New: VA Releases SSVF FY 2018 Annual Report

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) FY 2018 Annual Report, providing a summary of results from 308 SSVF grantees funded for FY 2018.  The report includes an overview of the program, which has served 502,191 veterans since its inception with rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention services, and information on the assistance and services provided through the program and their impact.

https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/docs/SSVF_FY2018_AnnualReport_508.pdf



Thank You,

SSVF Program Office