Funding Availability: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, 10578-10582 [2019-05359]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10578-10582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05359]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Funding Availability: Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds to eligible entities to provide time-limited case 
management services to improve the retention of housing by Veterans who 
were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing 
from programs such as VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) 
Program or VA's Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Contracted 
Residential Services (CRS) Program.

DATES: Applications for case management grants under the GPD Program 
must be received by the GPD National Program Office by 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time on Monday, May 20, 2019. In the interest of fairness to 
all competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date and hour, 
and VA will treat as ineligible for consideration any application that 
is received after the deadline. Applicants should take this practice 
into account and make early submission of their materials to avoid any 
risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays, 
computer service outages, or other submission-related problems.
    For a Copy of the Application Package: The required documentation 
for an application submission is outlined under the Application 
Documentation Required section of this NOFA. Questions should be 
referred to the GPD National Program Office by email at 
GPDgrants@va.gov. For detailed GPD Program information and 
requirements, see part 61 of Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (38 
CFR part 61).
    Submission of Application Package: Applicants must submit 
applications electronically following instructions found at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Applications may not be mailed, emailed, or sent by 
fax. Applications must be received by the GPD Program Office by 4:00 
p.m. Eastern Time on the application deadline date. Applications must 
be submitted as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will 
not be included in the application package for consideration and may 
result in the application being rejected or not funded. See Funding 
Limitations section of this NOFA for maximum allowable grant amounts.
    Technical Assistance: Information regarding how to obtain technical 
assistance with the preparation of a case management grant application 
is available on the GPD Program website at: www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffery L. Quarles, Director, VA 
GPD National Program, at GPDGrants@va.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Funding Opportunity Title: Grant and Per Diem Case Management 
Services Grant Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: VA-GPD-CM-FY2019.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 64.024, VA Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose: In an effort to reduce homelessness in the Veteran 
population, Congress required VA to expand its benefits for homeless 
Veterans by establishing a new grant program. See Public Law 114-315, 
sec. 712 (December 16, 2016) (codified as 38 United States Code 
(U.S.C.) 2013). This case management NOFA will provide funds to 
organizations within communities that provide case management services 
to improve the retention of housing by Veterans who were previously 
homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing and to Veterans who 
are at risk of becoming homeless.
    To ensure that grant funding is used to provide case management 
services to as many Veterans as possible, grant funds under this 
program may not be used for Veterans who are receiving case management 
services from permanent supportive housing programs (e.g., Housing and 
Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)) or rapid re-
housing/homeless prevention programs (e.g., Supportive Services for 
Veterans Families (SSVF)).
    Examples of case management services that grantees can provide 
using these grant funds include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Making home visits by the case manager to monitor housing 
stability;
    2. Providing or coordinating educational activities related to meal 
planning, tenant responsibilities, the use of public transportation, 
community resources, financial management, development of natural 
supports;
    3. Making referrals to needed services, such as mental health, 
substance use disorder, medical, and employment services; and
    4. Participating in case conferencing with other service providers 
who are working with the Veteran.
    There is a 6-month time limit for Veterans to receive case 
management services. However, VA may approve a request to extend 
services beyond the 6-month period if an organization submits a request 
to VA in writing, and VA approves it before the 6-month time limit 
expires. Because in most circumstances case management services are 
provided to Veterans after they have been in receipt of benefits under 
the GPD or HCHV CRS Programs, VA believes that 6 months would, in most 
cases, be sufficient time for a Veteran to have the necessary tools in 
place to retain permanent housing.
    B. Definitions: Title 38 CFR part 61 contains definitions of terms 
used in the GPD Program that are applicable to this NOFA.
    C. VHA Homeless Programs Referenced in this NOFA:
    1. The GPD Program provides grant funding to community-based 
organizations to provide transitional housing and supportive services 
to homeless Veterans. Case management grants are part of the GPD 
Program.
    2. The HCHV Contracted Residential Services Program places Veterans 
who qualify for VA health care in need of an immediate housing 
placement into short-term community-based supportive housing with the 
goal of transitioning Veterans to permanent housing and/or additional 
care.
    3. The SSVF Program provides grant funding to community-based 
organizations to assist very low-income veteran families residing in or 
transitioning to permanent housing. SSVF grantees provide a range of 
supportive services to eligible Veteran families that are designed to 
promote housing stability.
    4. The HUD-VASH Program is a collaborative program between HUD and 
VA, which combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to 
help Veterans and their families who are homeless find and sustain 
permanent housing.

[[Page 10579]]

    D. Eligibility Information: To be eligible, an applicant must be a 
501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) non-profit organization, state or local 
government agency, or recognized Indian Tribal Government. See 38 CFR 
61.1. Additionally, as this grant is primarily intended to serve 
Veterans discharging from GPD and HCHV CRS programs, the VA medical 
facility catchment area must have occupied beds serving Veterans that 
would be appropriate for case management services once they exit their 
transitional housing program. See Funding Restrictions regarding the 
limitations on the number of case management positions that may be 
awarded and the maximum award amounts.
    E. Cost Sharing or Matching: None.
    F. Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2013, as implemented in regulation at 38 
CFR 61.90-98.

II. Award Information

    A. Overview: This NOFA announces the availability of funding to 
eligible 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations, state and 
local governments, and Indian Tribal governments for the provision of 
case management services primarily for Veterans transitioning from 
either VA's GPD or HCHV CRS programs. A separate application is 
required for each VA medical facility catchment area. VA expects to 
fund approximately 133 case management positions with this NOFA. 
Applicants must agree to meet the applicable requirements of 38 CFR 
part 61.
    B. Allocation of Funds: Approximately $30 million is available for 
this grant component. Funding will be for a period of 2 years beginning 
on October 1, 2019, and ending on September 30, 2021. Funding for the 
entire grant award period will be obligated at the time of award and 
available for draw down by the grantee over the award period. Monthly 
reimbursements will be issued based on costs incurred by the grantee. 
Funding will be awarded under this NOFA depending on funding 
availability and subject to program authorization.
    C. Funding Restrictions: Questions regarding funding restrictions 
should be directed to the GPD National Program Office using the email 
listed in the Contact section. The following restrictions apply to this 
award:
    1. Applicants may not receive funding to replace funds provided by 
any Federal, state, or local government agency or program to assist 
homeless persons.
    2. No part of an award under this NOFA may be used to facilitate 
capital improvements or to purchase vans or real property. Vehicles may 
be leased to facilitate required transportation within the community.
    3. Only full-time case management position requests will be funded. 
A full-time case management position, per this NOFA, is defined as an 
average of 40 hours weekly or 80 hours biweekly. Workload may be shared 
between multiple staff.
    D. Funding Limitations: To facilitate geographic dispersion of this 
case management resource, VA has established the following limitations:
    1. Case management services grant funding may be used for the 
following administrative purposes:
    (a) Providing funding for case management staff;
    (b) Providing transportation for the case manager;
    (c) Providing cell phones and computers to facilitate home visits 
and other case management activities associated with the grant; and
    (d) Providing office furniture for the use of the case management 
staff.
    2. The maximum 2-year award, per full-time funded case management 
position, is $225,000. From this amount the following funding 
limitations apply:
    (a) Grantees may allocate a maximum of $15,000 for transportation 
costs per case management position.
    (b) Grantees may allocate a maximum of $4,000 for cell phones and 
computers per case management position.
    3. To facilitate geographic dispersion of this case management 
resource the number of funded positions at each VA medical facility 
catchment area will be limited as follows:
    (a) The following VA medical facilities may be funded for up to 
three, full-time case management positions: VA Greater Los Angeles 
Healthcare System (station 691); Las Vegas, Nevada (station 593); 
Coatesville, Pennsylvania (station 542); VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare 
System, Tennessee (station 626); Orlando, Florida (station 675); 
Dallas, Texas (station 549); Phoenix, Arizona (station 644); VA Central 
Western Massachusetts Healthcare System (station 631); Columbia, South 
Carolina (station 544); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (station 642); Bay 
Pines, Florida (station 561); Denver, Colorado (station 554); Jesse 
Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago), Illinois (station 537); Cleveland, 
Ohio (station 541); San Diego, California (station 664); Tampa, Florida 
(station 673); Portland, Oregon (station 648); N. California, 
California (station 612); VA Maryland Healthcare System, MD (station 
512); Charleston, South Carolina (station 534); San Francisco, 
California (station 662); Detroit, Michigan (station 553); and 
Honolulu, Hawaii (station 459). VA medical facility catchment area 
assignment will be determined by the applicant's response in the 
Project Summary (section D, question 1).
    (b) All other VA medical facility catchment areas not identified 
above, may be funded for up to one full-time case management position.
    (c) VA's decisions regarding the number of full-time management 
positions to be allocated among the catchment areas will be based on 
factors such as need, geographic dispersion, and availability of 
funding subject to the upper limits set in paragraph 3.(a) and 3.(b) 
above.
    E. Funding Priorities: VA has established the following funding 
priorities.
    1. Priority 1. VA will place in the first funding priority those 
applications from operational GPD-funded organizations that have 
provided a written commitment to give up per diem or special need 
funding and convert their transitional housing to permanent housing. In 
order to obtain this priority, organizations must provide documentation 
showing that their permanent housing meets the housing quality 
standards established under section 8(o)(8)(B) of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(B)). Applicants wishing to 
be considered under funding Priority 1 must submit with their 
application a signed letter on agency letterhead noting that, if 
selected for funding, the agency withdraws from their currently 
operational GPD project. This letter of commitment must be provided as 
an attachment to the case management grant application. Applications 
will then be ranked within the funding priority.
    2. Priority 2. VA will place in the second funding priority those 
applications from organizations that demonstrate a capability to 
provide case management services, particularly organizations that are 
successfully providing transitional housing services using grants 
provided by VA under 38 U.S.C. 2012 and 2061. Applications will then be 
ranked within the funding priority.
    3. Priority 3. VA will place in the third funding priority those 
applications from other organizations without a GPD grant that seek to 
provide time limited case management to formerly homeless Veterans who 
have exited VA transitional housing or other VA homeless residential 
treatment services to permanent housing. Applications will then be 
ranked within the funding priority.

[[Page 10580]]

    F. Payment: Payments will be in a method that is in accordance with 
VA and other Federal fiscal requirements. Awardees will be subject to 
requirements of this NOFA, GPD regulations, 2 CFR part 200, and other 
Federal grant requirements. A full copy of the regulations governing 
the GPD Program is available at the GPD website at: www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

III. Application and Submission Information

    A. To Obtain a Grant Application: The required documentation for an 
application submission is outlined below in the Application 
Documentation Required section of this NOFA. Standard forms, which must 
be included as part of a complete application package, may be 
downloaded directly from VA's GPD Program web page at: www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Questions should be referred to the GPD National 
Program Office at GPDGrants@va.gov. For detailed GPD Program 
information and requirements, see 38 CFR part 61.
    B. Content and Form of Application: VA is seeking to focus 
resources to assist homeless Veterans with housing retention. If your 
agency is unclear as to how to submit an application, contact the GPD 
National Program Office for clarification prior to submission of any 
application to ensure it is submitted in the correct format. Applicants 
should ensure that they include all required documents in their 
electronic application submission, carefully follow the format, and 
provide the information requested and described below. Submission of an 
incorrect, incomplete, or incorrectly formatted application package 
will result in the application being rejected.

IV. Application Documentation Required

    A. Standard Forms:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424);
    2. Non-Construction Budget (SF-424A); and
    3. Non-Construction Assurances (SF-424B).
    B. Eligibility:
    1. Nonprofit organizations must provide evidence of private 
nonprofit status by submitting a copy of their Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) ruling demonstrating tax-exempt status under the IRS Code of 
1986, as amended.
    2. State/local government entities must provide a copy of any 
comments or recommendations by approved state and (area wide) 
clearinghouses pursuant to Executive Order 12372.
    C. Documentation of being actively registered in the System for 
Award Management (SAM): All applicants must have an active registration 
in SAM corresponding to the Data Universal Numbering System number 
provided on the Application for Federal assistance (SF424). Provide 
your current Commercial and Government Entity code and SAM expiration 
date.
    D. Project Summary:
    1. Oversight and monitoring of case management grants will be 
provided by the VA medical facility whose catchment area includes the 
location of the administrative office where the program records for 
this grant will be maintained. A separate application is required for 
each VA medical facility catchment area. Provide the name of this VA 
medical facility.
    2. Name and three-digit Continuum of Care number(s) where services 
will be provided.
    3. Number of full-time case management positions requested (subject 
to the limits described in the Funding Limitations section).
    4. Total funding requested for the entire 2-year grant award 
period. This amount is subject to the limitations described in the 
Funding Limitations section of this NOFA.
    5. Budget narrative--breakdown the Total Funding Requested, in 
question 4 above, into the allowable cost categories as identified in 
the Funding Limitations section of this NOFA.
    6. Identify the county or counties which will be serviced by the 
case management staff.
    7. Identify the funding priority of this application.
    E. Applicant Contact Information:
    1. Location of the case manager(s) office where program records 
will be retained. Include the complete address, city, state, zip code + 
four-digit extension, county, and congressional district.
    2. Location of the administrative office where correspondence can 
be sent to the Executive Director/President/CEO (no P.O. Boxes). 
Include complete address, city, state, zip code + four-digit extension, 
county, and congressional district.
    3. Organization Primary Contact: Include the name, title, phone, 
fax and email address. Note: This contact is assigned to the 
organization, not a specific grant award, and is normally someone who 
signs grant agreements or makes all executive decisions for the 
organization. This is most often the CEO, the President, or Executive 
Director. Grant organizations with multiple awards can only have one 
Organization Contact.
    4. Grant Contact #1: Include the name, title, phone, fax, and email 
address. Note: This contact is specific to this grant application and 
may be a Program Manager, Director, Case Manager, Grant Administrator, 
or other position overseeing the GPD grant project.
    5. Grant Contact #2: Include the name, title, phone, fax, and email 
address. Note: This contact may be a CFO, financial manager, or other 
position overseeing the financial responsibilities of the GPD grant 
project.
    6. A complete listing of your agency's officers of the Board of 
Directors and their address, phone, fax, and email addresses.
    F. Project Abstract: In approximately 500 words, provide a brief 
abstract of the proposed case management project.
    G. Detailed Project Description: This is the portion of the 
application that describes your proposed case management grant. VA 
Reviewers will focus on how the application addresses the areas of 
project plan, ability, need, and coordination including how support 
services will be coordinated in relationship to your selected model. 
The requirements in this section are consistent with 38 CFR part 61 
subpart G (see 38 CFR 61.92).
    1. Project Plan (see 38 CFR 61.92(c)):
    (a) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words describe the referral 
and acceptance process for case management services. Including how your 
agency will outreach to local community HCHV and GPD providers to 
identify Veterans within your community who would be eligible for these 
services.
    (b) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words, describe how Veterans 
will be assessed for acuity or need for services. When demand for 
services is greater than what can be provided by the case manager(s), 
how will Veterans be prioritized?
    (c) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words, describe your case 
management services.
    (d) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words, describe how services 
for Veterans will be individualized to assist them in retaining their 
housing.
    (e) Project Plan--In approximately 250 words, describe how 
education will be provided to case management participants, as needed, 
in the areas of tenant rights and responsibilities, rental/lease 
agreements, landlord's rights and responsibilities, and budgeting.
    (f) Project Plan--In approximately 250 words, describe the minimum 
frequency of contacts with Veterans and the method(s) of contact (e.g. 
home visits, phone contact).

[[Page 10581]]

    (g) Project Plan--In approximately 250 words, describe the 
resources that will be provided to the case manager to facilitate 
engagement with Veterans (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, computer, office 
space).
    (h) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words, describe how crisis 
intervention will be utilized to coordinate intervention for medical, 
psychiatric, and substance abuse needs in order to promote the 
retention of permanent housing.
    (i) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words, describe how case 
management will be phased out over time prior to termination of 
services (Note, 38 CFR 61.90(c), case management services may be 
authorized for up to 6 months, unless VA receives and approves a 
written request for additional time before the 6-month time limit 
expires). Include discussion as to how your organization will assess 
Veterans periodically for reduced or increased case management 
engagement.
    (j) Project Plan--In approximately 500 words, describe your 
organizations' involvement with your communities coordinated entry 
system and how this project fits into this system.
    2. Ability (see 38 CFR 61.92(d)):
    (a) Ability--In approximately 500 words, provide information about 
the proposed case management position(s), including the minimum 
education, training, skills, and prior work experience requirements. 
Include the number of hours per week, per case management position 
requested, that will be dedicated to this grant. If identifying 
specific licenses or degrees required for the position, list all 
acceptable credentials.
    (b) Ability--In approximately 1,000 words, provide information 
regarding your organization's previous experience providing community-
based case management services, particularly targeted to assisting 
formerly homeless persons in retaining permanent housing, which 
includes, but is not limited to, responding to medical, mental health 
or substance use crises; and working with landlords as part of 
supportive housing services.
    (c) Ability--In approximately 1,000 words, describe any past 
performance with federal, state, or local grants or contracts, 
including audits by private or public entities, to provide services to 
homeless persons.
    3. Need: When providing information to support the need for case 
management services, keep in mind that your discussion should not 
include Veterans already receiving case management through HUD-VASH or 
SSVF permanent housing programs (see 38 CFR 61.92(e)).
    (a) Need--In approximately 1,000 words, discuss the overall need 
for these case management services to assist unserved Veterans with 
housing retention in your community. Provide community level data that 
supports your assertions regarding need.
    (b) Need--In approximately 250 words, discuss how many GPD and HCHV 
providers (including approved number of operational beds) are currently 
in your community.
    (c) Need--In approximately 500 words, identify the specific GPD and 
HCHV grantees that your agency intends to accept case management 
referrals from. Provide the grantee name, type of grant (HCHV or GPD), 
housing model, number of beds, county, and state for each project.
    Example 1: Grantee One; GPD; Low Demand; 20 beds; Hillsborough 
County, Florida.
    Example 2: Grantee Two; HCHV; CRS; 10 beds; Hillsborough County, 
Florida.
    (d) Need--In approximately 500 words, discuss how many formally 
homeless Veterans your organization anticipates serving using the 
proposed case management position(s) during the first 12 months of the 
grant award period. Explain how you determined this number of Veterans.
    4. Coordination (see 38 CFR 61.92(g)):
    (a) Coordination--In approximately 1,000 words, describe how you 
have coordinated this proposal with the local VA medical facilities, 
including how medical care, mental health, substance use care will be 
coordinated. Letters may be included to demonstrate coordination.
    (b) Coordination--In approximately 1,000 words, describe how you 
have coordinated this proposal with the local HCHV and GPD providers in 
your community who would potentially be referring Veterans for case 
management services. Letters may be included to demonstrate 
coordination.
    (c) Coordination--In approximately 500 words, discuss how this 
project has been coordinated with the local Continuum of Care. Letters 
may be included to demonstrate coordination.

V. Application Review Information

    A. Criteria for Grants: VA will only score applications that meet 
the threshold requirements described in 38 CFR 61.92. VA will use the 
rating criteria described in 38 CFR 61.92 to score grant applications. 
Applications will be awarded priority as described in 38 CFR 61.94. 
Applications will then be ranked within the funding priority of the 
applicant based on that score.
    B. Tie Score: In the event of a tie score between applications, VA 
will determine, at its discretion, if both grants should be selected 
for funding or if the awards will be funded for a lesser amount than 
requested.

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notice: Although subject to change, the GPD National 
Program Office expects to announce grant awards in the fourth quarter 
of FY 2019. The initial announcement will be made via news release 
which will be posted on VA's National GPD Program website at 
www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. Following the initial announcement, the 
GPD Office will send notification letters to the grant recipients. 
Applicants who are not selected will be sent a declination letter 
within 2 weeks of the initial announcement.
    B. Administrative and National Policy: VA places great emphasis on 
responsibility and accountability. VA has procedures in place to 
monitor services provided to homeless Veterans and outcomes associated 
with the services provided under this GPD Program.
    C. Reporting: Grantees should be aware of the following:
    1. Upon execution of a case management grant agreement with VA, 
grantees will have a liaison appointed from a nearby VA medical 
facility to provide oversight and monitor services provided to homeless 
Veterans in the program.
    2. Each funded program will participate in VA's national program 
monitoring and evaluation as these procedures will be used to determine 
successful outcomes for each grant.
    3. VA will complete regular monitoring evaluations of each grantee 
to include, at a minimum, a quarterly review of the grantees' 
performance, helping Veterans maintain housing stability, adequate 
income support, and self-sufficiency as identified in each case 
management application. Monitoring may also include a financial review 
to ensure compliance with program requirements. The grantee will be 
expected to demonstrate adherence to the grantee's proposed program 
concept, as described in the grantee' application. All grantees are 
subject to audits conducted by VA or its representative.
    4. Grantees will be assessed based on their ability to meet 
critical performance measures. In addition to meeting program 
requirements defined by the regulations and this NOFA, grantees will be 
assessed on the following:
    (a) The percentage of Veterans who received case management 
services

[[Page 10582]]

under the program who were able to retain permanent housing by the end 
of the program.
    (b) The percentage of Veterans who received case management 
services under the program who were not in permanent housing at the end 
of the program, disaggregated by housing status and reason for failing 
to retain permanent housing under the program.
    (c) An assessment of the employment status of Veterans who received 
case management services under the program, including a comparison of 
the employment status of such Veterans before and after receiving such 
services.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert L. 
Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on March 15, 2019, for publication.

    Dated: March 18, 2019.
Luvenia Potts,
Program Specialist, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2019-05359 Filed 3-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P