DeLauro, Larson, Himes Applaud Over $3.2 Million in Federal Grants to Help End Veterans’ Homelessness

WASHINGTON, DC—Connecticut Representatives Rosa DeLauro,John Larson and Jim Himes today applauded the news $3,262,739 in federal grantsto help approximately 715 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families inConnecticut. The grants provide funding to local organizations to help preventat-risk veterans from becoming homeless and to help re-house those who haverecently fallen into homelessness. The Workplace, Inc. in Bridgeport;Community Renewal Team, Inc. in Hartford; and Columbus House, Inc. in New Havenwill use the funding to provide a range of services that promote housingstability and play a key role in connecting veterans and their family membersto VA services, such as mental health care and other benefits.

"As a nation, we have an obligation to ensure that, at thevery least, the brave men and women who serve our country have a place to callhome," DeLauro said. "We have to be sure we are doing everythingpossible to facilitate the transition from the battlefield back to civilianlife. These grants will go a long way towards helping some of those with themost difficulty making the transition."

"We must honor the sacrifices of our military servicemembers and provide them with the tools they need when they return home," said Larson."With this funding, Community Renewal Team in Hartford and other organizationswill have additional resources to both support these returning service membersand help lower the rate of veterans' homelessness in Connecticut and across thenation."

Himes said: "A safe, decent place to call home isabsolutely essential to holding a job and enjoying the American way of lifethese veterans fought to protect. I applaud the comprehensive nature of thisprogram and am glad to see the Workplace will have more resources to continueits work helping local veterans."

"This new SSVF funding is critical to our efforts in CTtoward preventing and ending homelessness for Veterans in our state. We aregrateful to Secretary Shinseki for his vision and commitment to reaching thesegoals. We are proud to serve Veterans and their families across NewHaven, Middlesex and New London counties," said Alison Cunningham, ExecutiveDirector of Columbus House.

"We are very proud that the Department of Veterans Affairsis expressing confidence in our work over the last two years with nearly 350Veteran families, and is allowing us to expand from Hartford, Middlesex and NewHaven into New London County. We are honored to support those who have servedour country," said Lena Rodriguez, President and CEO of Community RenewalTeam.

"The Supportive Services for Veteran Families program is asignificant component in the suite of services we provide veterans. With ourcommunity partners we are working to prevent at-risk veterans from becominghomeless and rapidly re-house those who have recently fallen intohomelessness." said Joe Carbone, President and CEO of The WorkPlace. "My sincere gratitude goes to Connecticut congressional delegation for theirinvaluable support for veteran programs."

The full list of Connecticut awards from the SupportiveServices for Veteran Families program is as follows:

· Community Renewal Team will serve approximately175 eligible households in Hartford, Middlesex, New London and New Havencounties with their $519,000 award.

· The Workplace will serve approximately 240eligible households in Southwest and South Central Connecticut with their$1,256,494 award.

· Columbus House will serve approximately 300eligible households in New Haven, New London and Middlesex counties with their$1,487,245 award.