Congressman Ami Bera has announced that $1.26 million federal grant is coming to Sacramento County to help serve area veterans. Volunteers of America of Greater Sacramento and Northern Nevada, Inc. has received the grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. This funding is directed to help people who are permanently housed or transitioning to permanent housing of low-income veteran families around the nation, and providing services to prevent homelessness for veterans and their families. With this funding, the VOA will be able to serve more than 350 at-risk or homeless veterans and their families with housing assistance, child care, and other help.
“We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude and respect for the sacrifices they've made to keep our country safe,” said Congressman Bera. “This investment from the VA in the Sacramento VOA will make a big difference for our veterans who need a helping hand. I’m proud to have the opportunity to secure these funds, and I’ll continue to fight to make sure that our vets have the resources they need to thrive when they return home.”
“Through this VA grant we will serve at risk or homeless veteran households with financial assistance and case management. We are honored to continue to serve this population as they so honorably served our country,” said Christie Holderegger, VP Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada.
“The care and housing of our nation’s veterans is a top priority for the City of Rancho Cordova,” said Council Member Robert McGarvey, an Air Force veteran. “Rancho Cordova is a vibrant community with a strong military heritage that is home to over 5,000 veterans and their families. We are proud to have recently opened the first phase of Mather Veterans Village, which provides a home for veterans who are homeless and disabled. This grant will ensure that Rancho Cordova veterans, including those at the village, will continue to receive support services that address their unique needs.”
Congressman Bera has championed veterans’ causes in Congress along with fighting for more transparency at the VA. Bera’s office in Sacramento County has held several resource workshops and career fairs specifically for veterans and has helped more than 1,700 Sacramento County veterans with their government issues, returning over $1.8 million in owed benefits to veterans and their families.
This grant will allow the Sacramento VOA to continue to provide eligible veteran families with assistance in the form of getting VA and other benefits such as health care, income support services, financial planning, child care, legal services, transportation, and housing counseling. The VOA will continue to retain relationships with the local community to leverage supportive services that will enhance the housing stability of very low-income veteran families.