Local Nonprofit Shelter Network Receives Federal Grant

The Burlingame nonprofit , which provides housing and homelessness support to San Mateo County families and individuals, recently received a $753,399 federal grant, helping the organization improve its service for veterans.

The grant was one of 85 given nationwide by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from a pool of more than 400 applicants. Grant giving is part of the VA’s goal of ending homelessness in veterans by 2015.

Using the new funds, Shelter Network plans on instituting the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, helping veterans and their families find homes.

“Shelter Network is committed to helping families living on the edge or homeless secure and retain permanent housing, so it kind of matches our mission and vision quite well,” said Brian Greenberg, Vice President of Programs and Services. “It’s neat for us to be able to focus on veterans.”

The program is two-fold: rehousing for homeless veterans and homelessness prevention for those close to becoming homeless. The prevention program will be run by nonprofit Samaritan House and includes employment and healthcare support.

Currently, veterans make up 18 percent of Shelter Network’s clients.

“It’s hard to get reintegrated work and housing wise,” Greenberg said on veterans returning from duty. He said the organization has served more combat veterans in the past few years who might require additional access to health or behavioral health care.

Greenberg said SSVF will begin prior to October 1 of this year, although he hopes it can start even earlier, perhaps by September 1.

Once the program begins, Shelter Network employees will report back to the VA every three months with comprehensive progress reports.

“Shelter Network prides ourselves in operating cost efficient and effective programming,” he said. “We hope to be able to help a large majority of clients we serve.”

The nonprofit operates six facilities, in which Greenberg said about 12 veterans normally stay each night.  In the last year, Shelter Network served 139 veterans and their families.

“The distinction of this federal grant award is remarkable for the entire community, especially given the challenging economy,” said Karae Lisle, Shelter Network Executive Director in a statement. “The grant will provide jobs, funds, and expanded supportive services into the Peninsula. We are honored to have been selected from the many esteemed applicants.”