Homeless Vets Get Federal Funding Infusion In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Homeless and low-income veterans in Essex County will get a much-deserved boost due to an upcoming, multi-million-dollar infusion of federal funding, officials say.

The funding, provided through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will go to organizations across the state that help very low-income veterans with essential support services to help prevent homelessness, according to a joint news release from U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Six New Jersey organizations will receive funding:

• $3,035,661 to Community Hope, Inc. (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren)
• $1,299,852 to Catholic Charities Dioceses of Camden, Inc. (Atlantic County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Salem County)
• $1,790,704 to Catholic Family and Community Service (Hudson, Essex, Bergen, Union, Passaic, Morris, Sussex)
• $684,826 to North Hudson Community Action Corporation (Bergen, Hudson)
• $6,839,861 to Soldier On, Inc. (Funding to be shared among 30 counties in N.J., N.Y., and Mass., including Mercer, Burlington, Middlesex, Ocean, Monmouth, Bergen, Essex, Hudson)
• $2,047,411 to Veterans Multi-Service Center, Inc. (Funding to be shared among 15 counties in N.J., Pa., and Del., including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Cape May, Salem)

“Under the SSVF program, the VA offers community-based organizations grants to promote housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing,” the news release stated. “These grants will enable them to provide eligible veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and other benefits and services.”

Photo: Pvt. Hubert D. Delany III, U.S. Army

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com