[Federal Register: July 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 134)]
[Notices]
[Page 42252-42253]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jy04-174]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Fund Availability Under VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the
availability of funds for applications for assistance under the
Technical Assistance Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant
and Per Diem Program. This notice contains information concerning the
program, application process, and amount of funding available.
DATES: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three
completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and
Per Diem Field Office on August 17, 2004. Applications may not be sent
by facsimile (fax). 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 material to avoid any risk of loss
of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-
related problems.
For a Copy of the Application Package: Download directly from VA's
Grant and Per Diem Program Web page at: http://www.va.gov/ homeless/
page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-
877-332-0334. For a document relating to the VA Homeless Providers
Grant and Per Diem Program, see the final rule codified at title 38
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 61.0.
Submission of Application: An original completed and collated grant
application (plus three copies) must be submitted to the following
address: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Field Office, 10770
N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617. Applications must be
received in the Grant and Per Diem Field office by the application
deadline. Applications must arrive 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers
Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 North
46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617; (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces the availability of
funds for assistance under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
Program for eligible non-profit entities with expertise in preparing
grant applications relating to the provision of assistance for homeless
veterans to: Provide technical assistance to those non-profit
community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to
homeless veterans in order to help such groups apply for grants under
the final rule, published in the Federal Register, September 26, 2003,
or to apply for other grants from any source for addressing the
problems of homeless veterans.
Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance
Act of 2001, authorizes this program. Funding applied for under this
notice may be used for: (a) Group or individual seminars providing
general instructions concerning grant applications; (b) Group or
individual seminars providing instructions for applying for a specific
grant; or (c) Group or individual instruction for preparing analyses to
be included in a grant application. Seminars (course of instruction)
may be delivered in electronic, face-to-face, and correspondence
methodologies (e.g., Internet based training, video teleconferencing,
computer media such as CD or disk).
Entities that are interested in providing technical assistance
should be aware that historically the Grant and Per Diem Program office
receives over 1,200 nationwide inquiries per Notice of Fund
Availability from prospective applicants. It is estimated that an
additional 1,000 inquiries are received nationwide at VA Medical Center
Homeless Programs. From these inquiries, VA has seen an increase in the
number of applicants each year. Approximately 100 to 300 applications
per funding round have been received in past responses to Notices of
Fund Availability (NOFAs) under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem Program. Additionally, faith-based organizations that are capable
of providing supported housing and/or supportive service center
services for homeless veterans have figured prominently into the mix of
non-profit organizations seeking funding. Approximately 2500 beds in
115 programs have come from faith-based organizations. Those entities
applying to provide technical assistance should consider not only the
numbers but the diversity of the service provider seeking assistance
when establishing their service plans.
The applicant for this funding will be expected to develop an
integrated technical assistance plan, using funds for purposes as
specified in this NOFA, the objectives of the program rules and
regulations, as well as the intent of Public Law 107-95, to offer
technical assistance to agencies in their-specified target area.
Applicants should take note that they will be held accountable to
provide to VA documentation that demonstrates the objectives of
technical training are being met throughout the course of the award
cycle and documentation that clearly demonstrates the completion of
technical assistance objectives were met, cumulatively, at the end of
the funding period. Also, VA intends to conduct both fiscal and
performance reviews at least bi-annually of the awarded agency(s). The
technical assistance should not only raise the awareness of providers
regarding the availability of funds to assist homeless veterans but
also increase providers' proficiency in applying for funds to assist
homeless veterans. Applicants should take the aforementioned into
consideration when developing a technical assistance plan. Outcomes
measures that are specific and measurable should be an integral part of
the technical assistance plan that is submitted in the application.
Grant applicants may not receive assistance to replace funds
provided by any State or local government for the same purpose.
Authority: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program is
authorized by Public Law 107-95, section 5(a)(1), the Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 codified at title 38
United States Code (U.S.C.) 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064 and has been
extended through Fiscal Year 2005. The program is implemented by the
final rule codified at title 38 CFR 61.0. The regulations can be
found in their entirety in title 38 CFR 61.0 through 61.82. Funds
made available under this notice are subject to the requirements of
those regulations.
Allocation: Approximately $1.5 million is available for the
technical assistance grant component of this program. Funding will be
for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of award.
[[Page 42253]]
Funding Priorities: None.
Application Requirements: The specific grant application
requirements will be specified in the application package. The package
includes all required forms and certifications. Selections will be made
based on criteria described in the application. Applicants who are
selected will be notified of any additional information needed to
confirm or clarify information provided in the application. Applicants
will then be notified of the time in which to submit such information.
If an applicant is unable to meet any conditions for grant award within
the specified time frame, VA reserves the right to not award funds and
to use the funds available for other grant and per diem applicants.
Dated: July 8, 2004.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 04-15967 Filed 7-13-04; 8:45 am]
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