What is SSVF? 

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Supportive Services for Veteran Families, or SSVF, involves rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention programs for Veterans that are designed to respond to the crisis of homelessness or imminent homelessness. The program offers time-limited, individualized financial assistance designed to assist Veteran households to obtain and retain permanent housing. Financial assistance is provided at a level that enables Veterans to maintain housing while seeking to: increase income; relocate to less expensive housing; obtain a longer-term subsidy; and/or reduce expenses to sustain housing.

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Eligibility

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• The Veteran may be a single individual, or part of a family in which he/she is the head of household

• A person who served in the military with at least one day or more of active duty beyond training

• The Veteran’s discharge status must be under conditions other than dishonorable or general court martial

• The individual or family must be very low income, making less than 50% of the area median income (AMI)

• Housing status: Currently residing in permanent housing and at risk of losing housing and becoming homeless without SSVF assistance; Currently homeless, scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within 90 days pending the location of permanent housing or Has exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days in order to seek housing that better fits with needs

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How Does SSVF Work?

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After eligibility is determined, a case navigator can work with each Veteran household to help them access the following:

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• Housing search assistance

• Temporary financial assistance for rental arrears & rent, general housing barriers and other qualifying services

• Referral to employment coordinator & credit counseling partners

• Referral to VA benefits resources

• Assistance obtaining other public benefits

• Coordination with other resources within the community

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We Serve 8 Counties in Western New York:

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• Erie

• Niagara

• Allegany

• Cattaraugus

• Chautauqua

• Wyoming

• Orleans

• Genesee

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SSVF Housing Contacts

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Kevin Graham

Housing Specialist

Primary Phone Number: (716) 898-0110 ext. 109

Secondary, After Hours Phone Number: (716)-495-8908

kgraham@vocwny.org

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Chleo Carr

Housing Specialist

Primary Phone Number: (716)-898-0110 ext. 111

Secondary, After Hours Phone Number: (716)-495-8908

*both phone numbers are text capable

ccarr@vocwny.org

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