— from the office of U.S. Representative Rick Larsen —
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, [on Sept. 21] applauded federal grants for two Pacific Northwest organizations in support of their work to prevent homelessness among veterans.
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington received $776,000 and the Opportunity Council received $704,000 through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Both organizations are prior recipients of the grant.
“Unfortunately many veterans struggle with homelessness. That is why I am a strong supporter of programs like SSVF that enable local organizations to help more of our veterans get permanent housing and on the path to independence,” Larsen said. “Catholic Community Services and the Opportunity Council have a track record of increasing access to stable housing for veterans who are at-risk of or already experiencing homelessness, and I thank these organizations for their continued commitment to serving veterans in need.”
“Catholic Community Services in the last year, through the SSVF grant, has served 113 Snohomish County homeless veterans and their families. SSVF is a vital resource in Snohomish County to help veterans who are unsheltered and homeless,” said Will Rice, NW Regional Chief of Operations for Catholic Community Services of Western Washington. “This program provides rapid rehousing for those without housing, as well as resources to prevent homelessness among those veterans who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Additionally, this program is essential to providing homeless veterans highly specialized case management services to help veterans access VA services and employment services.”
“The Opportunity Council is committed to giving people the help they need to achieve self-sufficiency,” said Greg Winter, director of the Whatcom Homeless Service Center at the Opportunity Council. “With the SSVF grant, we are able to make progress on this goal for veterans and their families. We appreciate Congressman Larsen’s support as we work toward ending homelessness among veterans.”
Catholic Community Services provides help to veterans in Snohomish County. The Opportunity Council serves veterans in Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties, and will begin serving San Juan County this year.
More information about the grant awards is available here.
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