Tester Secures More than $11 Million for Services to Support Homeless Veterans in Montana

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

(Big Sandy, Mont.) - U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today announced more than $11 million in funding to support homeless and at-risk veterans and their families across Montana. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured this funding aimed at tackling veterans homelessness through the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bill.

"Ensuring Montanans' access to housing is particularly important when it comes to our veterans and their families facing homelessness," said Tester. "We need all hands-on deck when it comes to tackling veterans homelessness, and that starts with making sure on-the-ground organizations have the resources they need to help our veterans. I'm proud to have secured this critical funding Montana organizations will use to support homeless and at-risk veterans and their families, and I'll keep working to improve all Montanans' access to affordable housing."

Tester secured funding for the following service organizations focused on helping prevent and end veterans homelessness across Montana:

• $10,917,945 for the Volunteers of America (VOA) Northern Rockies;
• $1,837,500 for Veterans Inc.

These awards are a portion of the more than $798 million in grants for the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which is awarded to help rapidly rehouse veterans and their families, prevent homelessness for veterans experiencing housing insecurity, incentivize landlords to rent to veterans struggling with housing, and more.

A staunch advocate for supporting local organizations supporting homeless and at-risk veterans, Tester secured his comprehensive Building Solutions for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Act of 2021into the Fiscal Year 2023 federal funding bill. His law permanently cut red tape on capital grants provided by VA for organizations assisting veterans experiencing homelessness and established a pilot programs for vulnerable homeless veterans who have chronic health needs.

Continuing his fight to end veterans homelessness, Tester introduced the bipartisan Critical Health Access Resource and Grant Extensions (CHARGE) Act of 2023 to protect measures currently being implemented by VA to curb veterans homelessness.

"Veterans Inc. is deeply honored to be among the recipients of the Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF) grant in Montana. This program is a lifeline for many veterans and their families who are facing significant challenges every day in our communities," said Lt. Col. Vincent J Perrone (U.S Air Force, Ret.), President & CEO of Veterans Inc. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Senator Jon Tester for his unwavering leadership as Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, for his steadfast advocacy for the SSVF program, and tireless support for all veteran housing programs. His dedication to ending veteran homelessness is inspiring, and we look forward to using the vital support of the SSVF grant to make a real difference in the lives of veterans across Montana."

"VOA Northern Rockies is committed to serving our veterans, ensuring those who gave so much for our country are met with dignity as they reassimilate," said VOA Northern Rockies Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Heath Steel. "We would like to thank Senator Tester and the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for their continued support which provides our organization with the resources needed to help those who sacrificed so much live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life back at home."

https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2024/8/tester-secures-more-than-11-million-for-services-to-support-homeless-veterans-in-montana