2026-00009Notice

$855 Million VA Grants Aid Low-Income Veteran Families

Published Date: 1/6/2026

Notice

Summary

The VA is offering up to $855 million in grants to help very low-income veteran families with supportive services starting October 1, 2026. Non-profits and groups can apply or renew their grants by February 19, 2026, but they must submit on time with all required registrations. This funding will boost programs that keep veteran families safe and stable.

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

VA offers $855M in SSVF grants

The VA is making approximately $855,000,000 available through this NOFO with over 200 awards. Individual awards are expected to range from $262,981 to $23,153,846, and funded grants will begin operations on October 1, 2026.

Program performance and scale targets

VA expects SSVF grantees nationally to serve over 80,000 veterans and over 20,000 children, achieve 70% or higher exits to permanent housing, average rapid re-housing times of 90 days or less, returns to homelessness under 5%, and prevent homelessness for at least 90% of veterans at imminent risk.

Eligibility expands to 80% AMI

For the purposes of this NOFO, SSVF grantees may serve veterans with incomes up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). This departs from the standard 50% AMI threshold and is intended to allow serving veterans facing high local housing costs.

Landlord incentive: two months' rent

Grantees may pay landlords up to an amount equal to two months' rent as fees related to securing a lease when a veteran or veteran family enters into a lease of at least one year. That payment may be provided at lease-up or split into payments within the first 90 days of housing.

60% minimum homeless enrollment rule

Grantees must enroll a minimum of 60% of veteran households who are homeless as defined in 38 CFR 62.11(b). Applicants may request a waiver; waiver recipients must still enroll at least 40% homeless participants.

Health Care Navigator staff required

Beginning in FY 2026, grantees are required to hire at least one Health Care Navigator to assist participants with accessing health and mental health services. The Health Care Navigator position is mandatory rather than optional.

Priority rules and accreditation hurdles

The NOFO sets four funding priorities: Priority 1 (renewal to expand rural services with a Letter of Intent), Priority 2 (renewal for grantees with specified accreditations active at submission), Priority 3 (other renewals), and Priority 4 (new applicants). Priority 2 requires active accreditations such as CARF, COA, or The Joint Commission at the date of submission.

$1,000 move-in expense allowance

Grantees may provide up to $1,000 in miscellaneous move-in expenses to each veteran household that signs a lease of not less than one year. Funds are intended for items like food, furniture, household items, or electronics and are to be provided through accounts at local merchants in the enrolled veteran's name.

10% cap on administrative costs

Grantees may use a maximum of 10% of supportive services grant funds for administrative costs as identified in 38 CFR 62.70(e). This cap limits how much of an award can cover overhead.

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Key Dates

Published Date

Effective Date

1/6/2026

10/1/2026

Department and Agencies

Department

Independent Agency

Agency

Veterans Affairs Department

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