Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded over $4.7 million in grant funding for homeless veterans in Oregon. The funding comes from the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program and will be distributed to organizations across the state.
“Our veterans have stood up for us, and we must stand up for them,” said Merkley. “No one who has fought for our country overseas should return home to sleep on the streets or in a homeless shelter.”
“Honoring veterans requires a steadfast commitment to extend a helping hand if they are struggling to afford housing when they return to Oregon,” Wyden said. “These resources help to make good on that commitment by providing veterans and their families experiencing homelessness with an essential lifeline.”
The SSVF program promotes housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing. The SSVF grants provide eligible veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and other benefits.
Earlier this year Senator Merkley completed a statewide affordable housing tour to talk with housing experts, local leaders and Oregonians who have been affected by rising rental prices, lack of available housing and skyrocketing housing prices. During the tour, housing advocates underscored how important the SSVF program is to help our veterans get the stability they need.
A list of the grants announced by the VA today include:
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County $284,820
Community Action Team, Inc. $730,489
Central Oregon Veteran’s Outreach $316,130
Easter Seals Oregon $416,120
Access $700,473
Transition Projects $1,397,854
Blue Mountain Action Council $883,181
English 
Spanish