Rahall Announces Funding for Veteran Homeless Prevention Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 18, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) Tuesday announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded funding to prevent veteran homelessness in West Virginia.

“In this nation of plenty, where we sleep at night comforted by the sense of safety our Armed Forces provide, homelessness among veterans is a travesty,” said Rahall, who is a member of the House Military Veterans Caucus. “Readjusting to civilian life is often difficult for veterans and their families, but having a place to call home provides a solid foundation for service members to readjust and rebuild. This type of assistance serves to strengthen our communities, one family at a time.”

The Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center was awarded a $252,330 grant to continue to serve approximately 110 households in Kanawaha, Cabell and Wayne Counties. The Center, through its partnership with the Information and Referral Service of the Cabell County Public Library in Huntington, provides financial assistance and supportive services to approximately 50 very low-income Veteran families living in or transitioning to permanent housing.

The VA funds are provided for Fiscal Year 2012 through the Department’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, a homeless-prevention program that provides grants to community organizations for counseling, training, education assistance, direct time-limited financial assistance, transportation, child care, rent, utilities, and other services aimed at preventing homelessness or providing homes for participating veterans and family members.

Last month, Rahall welcomed eight cyclists – the Homeless Veterans Ride 2012 – to the Nation’s Capitol at the completion of their 440 mile ride from Huntington, WV, to Washington, DC, to raise money and awareness for the needs of West Virginia’s Veterans who are currently homeless or in need of safe, secure housing.