VA GRANT/PER DIEM, 2009 CAPITAL GRANT | Apply Online

FAQs: VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) 2009 Capital Grant NOFA

1) What was the VA GPD 2009 Capital Grant opportunity?

It was a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA) focused strictly on capital support to create or expand transitional housing for homeless veterans. The notice was aimed at increasing community-based supported transitional housing bed capacity tied to services.

2) Was this an operations-only grant or a per diem-only funding opportunity?

No. This NOFA was not an operations-only grant and it did not offer per diem-only funding under this notice. The primary purpose was capital support for transitional housing capacity.

3) What types of projects were the VA trying to fund?

The VA intended to fund projects that either (a) expand existing VA GPD transitional housing projects or (b) develop brand-new transitional housing programs that create additional beds and deliver supported housing tied to services.

4) Were supportive service centers eligible if they were not connected to housing beds?

No. Supportive service centers by themselves were explicitly not eligible in this round.

5) Would a proposal be eligible if it only changed the target population served or adjusted the mix of services in an existing project?

No. Proposals that merely reshaped an existing project by changing the target population served or altering the mix of services (rather than creating new housing capacity) were not eligible.

6) What capital costs could the grant funds be used for?

Capital grant funds could be used for major one-time expenses that directly create or expand transitional housing capacity, including remodeling or altering existing buildings, acquiring buildings, acquiring and rehabilitating buildings, and new construction.

7) Could the grant be used to purchase a van?

Yes, but only under specific limits: the NOFA allowed the purchase of vans only when the van was directly connected to a new GPD grant project, and it was limited to one van per project number.

8) Could VA capital funds replace state or local government funds already committed to homeless services?

No. The capital funding could not be used to replace state or local government funds already committed to helping homeless persons.

9) Were Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) encouraged for this program?

Applicants were cautioned about structuring projects around LIHTC because LIHTC is commonly tied to permanent housing models, while permanent housing was not an eligible activity under this program.

10) What kinds of compliance issues did the VA flag as potential reasons for denial?

The VA highlighted common pitfalls tied to site control, resident lease arrangements, and attempts to treat grant funds like a loan. The NOFA warned these issues could lead to denial even when transitional housing was proposed.

11) How much funding did the VA expect to award and how many awards were anticipated?

The VA expected to award about $15 million total and anticipated roughly 35 awards.

12) What was the overall bed-creation goal for the NOFA?

The goal was to create approximately 1,000 community-based supported transitional housing beds.

13) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants included state governments, county and city or township governments, federally recognized tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).

14) What did the NOFA mean by eligible “state” entities?

The NOFA clarified that eligible “state” entities included the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories or possessions under the program definitions.

15) Did projects have to primarily serve veterans?

Yes. Projects funded through the program had to maintain a primary focus on veterans. No more than 25 percent of housing and services in a funded project could go to non-veterans.

16) What were the three funding priority tracks?

The VA established three priority tracks to promote geographic dispersion, avoid duplication of services, and build capacity in underserved areas with significant homeless veteran need: Priority 1 (women veterans and women veterans with dependent children), Priority 2 (Indian Tribal Property projects), and Priority 3 (general category for homeless veterans overall).

17) What was Priority 1 and how was it limited?

Priority 1 targeted new projects specifically for women veterans and women veterans with dependent children. It was limited to 30 beds or fewer, with approximately $2 million reserved for the highest-scoring legally fundable applications in that category. If not funded under Priority 1, applications could roll into Priority 3.

18) What was Priority 2 and what documentation was required for nonprofits?

Priority 2 reserved about $1 million for Indian Tribal Governments or nonprofits proposing transitional housing and services on Indian Tribal Property. Nonprofits applying under Priority 2 had to include a letter of assurance from the Tribal Government confirming services would occur on Tribal Property. If not funded under Priority 2, applications could move to Priority 3.

19) What was Priority 3?

Priority 3 was the broad general category (roughly $12 million) open to state and local governments, tribal governments, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations proposing transitional housing and services for homeless veterans overall. Conditional selections were made in ranked order until funds were exhausted.

20) How were applications scored and ranked?

Applications were scored and ranked within their priority categories. To be considered for ranking, an application had to meet a scoring threshold of at least 600 cumulative points and receive points under specified regulatory criteria referenced in 38 CFR 61.13.

21) How did the VA make selections across priorities?

The VA would conditionally select the highest-ranked applications within each priority category until the projected funding amount for that category was reached, and could continue selecting from lower priorities if funds remained, consistent with the final rule selection process in 38 CFR 61.14.

22) What does “conditional selection” mean in this NOFA?

Conditionally selected applicants could be required to provide additional clarifications or confirmations as requested. The VA reserved the right to decline making an award if conditions were not met on time and instead redirect funds to other applicants.

23) Was matching funding required?

Yes. A major requirement was matching funds. Conditionally selected organizations had to submit a “Second Submission” demonstrating firm commitments for a match equal to 35 percent of the total project cost, or the difference between total project cost and the amount requested from VA, whichever was greater.

24) Could per diem support be requested at all under this opportunity?

Yes, per diem support could be requested as part of the overall application, but it would generally become available at project completion, subject to funding availability and continued operation of the approved program.

25) How were per diem payments limited or calculated?

Per diem payments were limited based on the provider’s documented cost of care per eligible veteran, minus other payments received for providing services, up to the VA’s applicable daily rate benchmark (referencing the State Home Domiciliary care per-day rate).

26) What fiscal documentation was required related to per diem?

Awardees were required to maintain adequate fiscal documentation showing program income and expenses to support per diem claims.

27) What did the VA expect regarding clinical and supportive services?

The VA stressed that the target population often includes veterans with serious clinical and social needs, including high rates of mental illness, substance use disorders, co-occurring diagnoses, and significant medical problems. Applications were expected to reflect strong collaboration with VA medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, or other healthcare and benefits providers.

28) What oversight and monitoring did the VA describe?

The VA stated it would verify completion of the capital project and monitor services and outcomes in funded programs. Once operational, each per diem-funded program would have a VA medical facility liaison for oversight, face at least annual reviews of progress toward housing stability, income support, and self-sufficiency goals, undergo financial reviews for per diem payment accuracy, and participate in the VA’s national monitoring and evaluation system administered by the Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC).

29) What facility safety code applied?

Facilities had to meet the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code.

30) Did the VA mention any specific building safety requirements?

Yes. The VA highlighted sprinkler requirements as a key design and compliance issue and noted that inspections would occur before per diem payments could begin.

31) What was the application deadline?

Complete applications had to be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Late submissions were deemed ineligible.

32) Were fax submissions allowed?

No. Fax submissions were not allowed.

33) What were the submission package requirements?

Applicants had to submit one original completed and collated application plus three collated copies, along with a cover letter clearly stating which funding priority the applicant wished to be considered under.

34) Could applicants send materials separately?

The NOFA cautioned that submissions had to arrive as a complete package. Materials sent separately were not guaranteed to be included and could lead to rejection.

35) Where were applications submitted?

Applications were submitted to the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Field Office at 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C200, Tampa, FL 33617.

36) Where could applicants access the application package?

The application package was available via the VA GPD website or Grants.gov.

37) What legal authority and regulations governed this NOFA?

Program authority came from the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-95) and implementing regulations at 38 CFR Part 61 (CFDA 64.024).