SHAHEEN, KUSTER ANNOUNCE $263,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

KEENE, N.H. – Today, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that Southwestern Community Services will receive a $263,000 grant to help keep local veterans in their homes and off the streets. The funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), is part of the agency’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program (SSVF), which helps local non-profit organizations to prevent at-risk veterans from becoming homeless and to secure housing for those who have recently lost their homes.

The funding will allow the organization to provide financial assistance to more than 55 veterans and their families, helping them to cover rent, utility payments and other living costs.

“We have an obligation to support those who have sacrificed to protect our country, and these types of grants are a proven tool in helping meet that goal,” Shaheen said. “Southwestern Community Services has provided critical services to veterans looking to get back on their feet, and this funding will give the organization an opportunity to have a positive impact in the lives of many more.”

“This important funding will go a long ways toward combatting veteran homelessness in the Granite State,” Kuster said. “Our veterans have given so much to keep our country safe. They should never have to live in fear of losing their homes.”

“We see the need within the veterans community and we’re excited to be in a position to help,” said Keith Thibault, Chief Development Officer for Southwestern Community Services. “With this grant, we can do a lot of good, and the community will feel it too. Housing stabilization really has a ripple effect.”

According to the Government Accountability Office, between 423 and 600 homeless veteran households are located in New Hampshire and a further 7,175 such households in our state are at risk of homelessness.  New Hampshire also has the third highest percentage in the nation of low-income veteran renter households with moderate to severe housing affordability problems. 

Southwestern Community Services is one of 319 agencies nationwide to receive grant funding under SSVF. In total, the grants amount to nearly $300 million and will help 120,000 veterans and their families around the country.