Washington, D.C., June 29, 2023 — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the allocation of $11.5 million in grants aimed at providing legal services to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These grants, awarded to 79 public and non-profit organizations, are part of the VA’s Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program, established under the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.
This funding will facilitate a range of legal services including:
- Representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction.
- Assistance with child support, custody, and estate planning matters.
- Help with obtaining public benefits, including disability compensation.
- Defense in criminal cases that could lead to homelessness, such as outstanding warrants or driver’s license revocation.
- Support with discharge upgrades or dismissals from the Armed Forces.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the critical role of legal support in preventing veteran homelessness, stating, “For veterans, legal support can be the difference between becoming homeless and having safe, stable housing. With these grants, more veterans will have the legal representation they deserve, increasing their access to housing and employment.”
This initiative is a part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader efforts to reduce homelessness among all Americans by 25% by 2025. In 2022, VA housed over 40,000 formerly homeless veterans and prevented more than 17,700 veterans and their families from becoming homeless.
For more information on the VA’s legal services and the list of grantees, visit the Legal Services for Veterans website. Veterans in need of assistance can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
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