Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it is sending $3,851,650 in grants under their Grant Per Diem (GPD) Program to organizations in Congressman Mike Turner’s (OH-10) district to fund transitional housing and supportive services for veterans. The organizations being granted this significant funding to combat veteran homelessness in the Miami Valley are St. Vincent de Paul Social Services in Montgomery and Greene Counties, as well as Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio in Montgomery County.
“I have strongly supported our veterans in the Miami Valley, and I am proud to announce today that nearly $4 million is coming to organizations in our community to combat veteran homelessness,” said Turner. “This critical funding for St. Vincent de Paul and Volunteers of America will help our veterans access the stable housing and skills for success that they have more than earned. Our veterans sacrifice so much for us, and I am proud nearly $4 million is coming to our community to give back to them.”
The GPD Program aims to end veteran homelessness by helping them achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income and obtain greater self-determination.
Turner has taken up many initiatives at the congressional level that reflect the mission of the VA’s GPD Program:
- Turner co-sponsored H.R. 716 Homeless Veterans Legal Services Act which required the VA to create partnerships with public and private legal services.
- H.R. 716 also required that the VA partially fund veterans legal fees for conflicts related to housing, family law, and income support.
- Turner led the charge on efforts to bring the first ever VA National History center to Dayton.
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