VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

We are revising the regulations concerning the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program in large part to implement the provisions of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (HVCAA). We also are establishing provisions in the form of funding priorities to meet a statutory mandate. In addition, to help ensure that program objectives are met by those receiving assistance we are adding provisions to state that to receive assistance under the interim final rule, an entity must not be in default by failing to meet requirements under any previously awarded grant. Further, we are making changes to provide that each resident of supportive housing may be required to pay rent in an amount determined by the recipient, except that such rent may not exceed 30 percent of the resident's monthly income not including amounts equal to medical expenses, child care expenses, or court ordered payments. This is intended to provide a system that is administratively feasible, that allows for significant help for covering operating expenses, and that would allow veterans to retain sufficient funds to help prepare for a successful transition to independent living.