The Grant & Per Diem Transitional Program

What is The VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program?


The GPD Program is Veterans Affair’s largest transitional housing program for Veterans experiencing homelessness and is permanently authorized under Public Law 109-461. Since 1994, the GPD Program has awarded grants to community-based organizations to provide transitional housing with wraparound supportive services to assist vulnerable Veterans move into permanent housing. According to Veterans Affairs, the GPD Program, “is offered annually (as funding permits) by the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund community agencies providing services to Veterans experiencing homelessness.


The purpose of the transitional housing component of the program is to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and services with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination.


Additionally, the GPD Program offers Case Management grants to support housing retention for Veterans who were previously homeless and are transitioning to permanent housing."

Who is Eligible for the Grant and Per Diem Program?


The Grant and Per Diem Program is designed to serve Veterans who:

• Are eligible for VA health care services;

• Are currently homeless;

• Have 30 days of documented sobriety (not always enforced);

• Are motivated to improve the quality of their lives;

• Are willing to work with a case manager;

• Are willing to participate in treatment;

• Have the goal of independent housing


Veterans are provided with comprehensive rehabilitation.  Based on their goals, Veterans are assisted with meeting health and mental health needs including vocational services, relapse prevention planning, and developing skills for successful community integration.

Veterans Affairs funds an estimated 600 agencies that provide over 14,500 beds for eligible Veterans. Grantees work closely with an assigned liaison from the local VAMC. The VA GPD liaison monitors the services the grantees offer to Veterans and provides direct assistance to them. Grantees also collaborate with community-based organizations to connect Veterans with employment, housing and additional social services to promote housing stability. The maximum stay in this housing is up to 24 months, with the goal of moving Veterans into permanent housing.

Title 38 Chapter I § 61.2 Supportive Services—General

Transitional programs which receive grants must design supportive services. Such services must provide appropriate assistance, or aid participants in obtaining appropriate assistance, to address the needs of homeless veterans.

The following are examples of supportive services:

  • Outreach activities;
  • Providing food, nutritional advice, counseling, health care, mental health treatment, alcohol and other substance abuse services, case management services;
  • Establishing and operating child care services for dependents of homeless veterans;
  • Providing supervision and security arrangements necessary for the protection of residents of supportive housing and for homeless veterans using supportive housing or services;
  • Assistance in obtaining permanent housing;
  • Education, employment counseling and assistance, and job training;
  • Assistance in obtaining other Federal, State and local assistance available for such residents including mental health benefits, employment counseling and assistance, veterans' benefits, medical assistance, and income support assistance; and
  • Providing housing assistance, legal assistance, advocacy, transportation, and other services essential for achieving and maintaining independent living.

State, local and tribal governments and nonprofits receive capital grants and per diem payments to develop and operate transitional housing—including short-stay bridge housing—and/or service centers for Veterans who are homeless. And although the GPD program does not specifically require the veterans to maintain sobriety, applicants are awarded points based on a rating system using certain criteria.

To be eligible for a capital grant, an applicant must receive at least 750 points (out of a possible 1000) and must receive points under each of the following:

300 points: The measurable objectives to determine success of the supportive services:

  • How the success of the program will be evaluated on an ongoing basis.
  • How the nutritional needs of veterans will be met. 
  • How the agency will ensure a clean and sober environment.
  • How participants will be assisted in assimilating into the community through access to neighborhood facilities, activities, and services.


100 points: Outreach to persons on streets and in shelters:

  • The agency's outreach plan to serve homeless veterans living in places not ordinarily meant for human habitation (e.g., streets, parks, abandoned buildings, automobiles, under bridges, in transportation facilities) and those who reside in emergency shelters.


200 points: The ability of an applicant to develop and operate a project that includes training and experience of staff and providing supportive services such as those indicated above.


150 points: Need. VA will award up to 150 points based on the extent to which the applicant demonstrates:

  • Substantial unmet needs, particularly among the target population living in places not ordinarily meant for human habitation, and
  • An understanding of the homeless population to be served and its unmet housing and supportive service needs.


50 points: Completion confidence. Based on the VA review panel's confidence that the applicant has effectively demonstrated the supportive housing or service center project will be completed as described in the application.


200 points: Coordination with other programs. VA will award up to 200 points based on the extent to which applicants demonstrate that they have coordinated with Federal, state, local, private and other entities serving homeless persons in the planning and operation of the project.

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