San Diego
Military News

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has awarded $209,661,499 in grants to 66 community organizations across California to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, according to a VA San Diego news release. The California awards are part of a larger, record-high $1.17 billion in grants awarded to 680 organizations nationwide, VA said.

The release ties the funding push to VA's report that it housed 51,936 homeless veterans nationwide in Fiscal Year 2025, which VA described as the highest figure in seven years.

According to VA, the money will flow through two existing programs. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is meant to prevent veterans and families from losing housing, help them find new housing, and rapidly re-house those who are already homeless. The Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program is meant to fund transitional housing, service centers, and transition-in-place housing where veterans stay in their current home while receiving support. VA said GPD funding also supports special housing for women veterans and those who are chronically mentally ill, frail, or elderly.

The release does not name which San Diego-area organizations, if any, received awards, nor does it break out a local dollar amount. VA said a full list of SSVF and GPD awardees is available through its website, but the release itself provides no San Diego-specific figures.

"VA medical centers across California remain committed to ensuring veterans have access to safe, stable housing and the supportive services they need to thrive," said Dr. Frank P. Pearson, Director of VA San Diego Healthcare System, according to the release. He said the grants "strengthen our partnerships with community organizations and help us reach veterans where they are."

The release does not specify when funds will reach individual programs or how veterans and families can access services tied to this funding round.