Grant and Per Diem Case Management Program | VA GPD CM FY2021

Opportunity Information: Apply for VA GPD CM FY2021

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Case Management Program notice of funding opportunity (NOFA), numbered VA GPD CM FY2021, is a renewal funding opportunity meant specifically for organizations that already hold one of the 127 currently operating VA GPD Case Management grants. It is not a new-entrant competition in the usual sense; instead, it is designed to keep existing, established case management capacity in place so Veterans who were previously homeless and are now moving into permanent housing, as well as Veterans who are at risk of homelessness, can get consistent support that helps them remain housed. The overall emphasis is on sustaining case manager positions and the services those staff provide, rather than expanding into unrelated activities or paying for transitional housing operations.

The purpose of the renewal funding is to provide up to two years of continued support for case management services under the VA Homeless Providers GPD Program, with the goal of improving housing retention and stabilizing Veterans in the community. The VA points applicants to the governing definitions and rules in 38 C.F.R. Part 61, particularly the case management sections (38 C.F.R. 61.90 through 61.98), and notes that programs may need to deliver some services virtually when circumstances require it (for example, during the COVID-19 national emergency). Applicants are encouraged to use technology appropriately and to have written procedures for virtual case management practices. Importantly, this funding is for case management services only and cannot be used to cover transitional housing operational costs.

The eligible applicant pool for this renewal is narrow by design: to qualify, an organization must be a currently operational VA Homeless Providers GPD Program Case Management grantee that originally received its award under the March 21, 2019 NOFA (84 FR 10578). Although the general Grants.gov-style eligibility categories list governments, tribes, public housing authorities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, the NOFA makes clear that this particular round is restricted to those existing operational case management grantees seeking renewal. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.

Funding is described as approximately $30 million available across the current case management component. Awards are structured as renewals for a two-year period, with the performance window running from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023 (a 24-month period). The award ceiling is tied to staffing: the renewal may support up to $225,000 in total costs (direct plus allowable indirect, if applicable) per full-time funded case management position. Within that per-position limit, there are specific caps for certain line items: up to $15,000 per full-time position for transportation costs and up to $4,000 per full-time position for cell phones and computers. The VA signals that renewals are expected to be consistent with currently approved services and budgets, with minimal administrative burden, and that major changes in scope are not expected. Funding requests must be based on a 24-month budget period, should align with prior-year spending patterns, and cannot exceed the amount that was obligated under the organization’s original GPD Case Management award. Awards are also subject to the availability of federal funds and to the grantee meeting performance goals and complying with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Allowable uses focus on the practical needs of deploying and supporting case management staff who work with Veterans in housing. Examples of case management activities include home visits (including remote check-ins when needed) to monitor housing stability, education and coaching related to tenant responsibilities and daily living skills (such as meal planning, using public transportation, budgeting and financial management, connecting to community resources, and building natural supports), referrals to needed services (including medical care, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and employment services), and participation in case conferencing with other providers engaged with the Veteran. On the administrative and operational side, the grant can pay for staff compensation and development, transportation for the case manager, communications and technology tools (phones, headsets, computers, printers), personal protective supplies used to safely conduct visits and services, office space and basic office needs (including software and utilities), and participation in the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). At the same time, the VA lists several clear restrictions: funds cannot be used for capital improvements, purchasing vans, or buying real property, although leasing vehicles is allowed when transportation is required. The VA also prohibits using these funds to replace other federal, state, or local government funding that is already intended to assist homeless persons.

The application process is tightly deadline-driven and electronic-only. The complete renewal application package had to be received by the VA GPD Program Office no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 18, 2021, and the deadline is treated as firm, meaning an application arriving even one minute late would be ineligible. Submissions could not be delivered by fax, postal mail, courier, or in person; applicants had to follow the electronic submission instructions posted at www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp. The VA emphasizes that applications must arrive as one complete, collated package; documents sent separately would not be added later and could lead to rejection or non-funding. The VA also notes that if multiple submissions are received, it may choose which version to consider, such as the most complete or the most recent submission received before the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to avoid last-minute technical or transmission issues.

Required documentation includes a completed and signed SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), signed by an authorized official who normally executes grant agreements on behalf of the organization. Applicants must also be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to applying and must keep SAM registration active and current while an application is under review and throughout the period of any resulting federal award. In addition to the SF-424, applicants must provide a letter on organizational letterhead stating their intent to apply for renewal and authorizing the VA to evaluate their previously awarded case management application for scoring purposes. That letter must include the original Federal Award Identification Number, the number of full-time case manager positions funded under the original award, the number of full-time positions requested for the renewal (which may be fewer than before but not more), confirmation that the organization will continue providing the services described in the application, and a statement of any VA-approved scope changes along with confirmation that original forms and certifications remain applicable. Finally, applicants must include a one-page budget covering the full two-year renewal period, clearly broken into allowable cost categories with transparent calculations and an explanation of any changes from the original approved budget.

Applications are reviewed and selected under the criteria and procedures in 38 C.F.R. 61.92 through 61.94, with rating criteria referenced at 38 C.F.R. 61.92. The VA may request clarifying or confirming information during the process and will set deadlines for that follow-up. If an applicant cannot meet conditions of award within the required timeframe, the VA may decline to make the award and redirect funds to other case management renewal applicants. Selected applicants ultimately execute a grant agreement with the VA consistent with applicable GPD regulations, and the VA also reviews the original project and any previously approved program changes to confirm that significant scope changes have not occurred.

• The Department of Veterans Affairs, Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program in the housing sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Grant and Per Diem Case Management Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 64.024.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 17, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 18, 2021 Applications must be received by the GPD Program Office no later than 400 p.m. Eastern Time on February 18, 2021.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 127 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for VA GPD CM FY2021

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: