VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Transitional Housing: What to Prepare and How Consulting Helps

How GPD works

• Applications are accepted only during an active grant round after a NOFO is announced. Announcements and awards are posted on VA's GPD website and Grants.gov.
• Per Diem Only (PDO) NOFOs fund transitional housing bed models (Bridge Housing, Clinical Treatment, Hospital to Housing, Low Demand, and Service-Intensive Transitional Housing) and service centers.
• Transition in Place (TIP) uses apartment-style housing where Veterans receive time-limited supportive services, optimally for 6–12 months, then assume the lease so the unit becomes their permanent housing.
• Funding is competitive, and applications are scored by subject-matter experts.
• VA sets minimum performance targets by model. For example, VA's recipient guide lists a 70% discharge-to-permanent-housing target for Service-Intensive Transitional Housing.

Who this is for

• Nonprofits and mission-led organizations exploring veteran housing.
• Housing operators evaluating VA Grant and Per Diem opportunities.
• Teams building a transitional housing service model for veterans.
• Property owners partnering with an experienced eligible provider.

What to prepare before a NOFO opens

1. Eligibility: organizational status, EIN, UEI, and an active SAM.gov registration. SAM registration can take time and must be renewed annually.
2. Model choice: which GPD housing model fits your population and capacity.
3. Partners: coordination with the local VA medical center, Continuum of Care, veteran organizations, landlords, and service providers.
4. Operations: policies, intake practices, records, staffing plans, outcome tracking, and quality controls.
5. Facility readiness: safety, habitability, accessibility, inspections, and emergency planning.
6. Budget: eligible costs, staffing, utilization assumptions, and cash-flow needs aligned with the specific funding opportunity.

How Steps To Living helps

The Steps To Living VA Housing program is readiness consulting for organizations exploring veteran transitional housing:

• GPD opportunity review: the current notice, applicant eligibility, program model, required services, and submission expectations.
• Veteran-centered design: population, resident pathway, supportive services, housing stability goals, and community partnerships.
• Operational documentation, facility readiness, budget and reimbursement planning, and partner coordination.
• Roadmap: confirm eligibility, design the model, and prepare for review.

The VA Housing program is $9,000; all sales are final.

VA Grant and Per Diem funding is competitive and governed by the current Notice of Funding Opportunity and federal requirements. No funding or award is guaranteed.