Press Release

Mather – Today, Congressman Ami Bera (CA-7) announced that Volunteers of America of Greater Sacramento and Northern Nevada, Inc. has received a grant of $1,226,241 from the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. The funding is directed to help very low-income veteran families around the nation who are permanently housed or transitioning to permanent housing, as well as services to prevent homelessness for veterans and their families. Congressman Bera was joined by VOA Director of Veterans Services Becca Bettis, and Rancho Cordova City Council Member and Air Force veteran Bob McGarvey.

"We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude and respect for the sacrifices they've made to keep our country safe," said Congressman Bera. "This investment from the VA in the Sacramento VOA will make a big difference for our veterans who need a helping hand. I'm proud to have the opportunity to secure these funds, and I'll continue to fight to make sure that our vets have the resources they need to thrive when they return home."

"Through this VA grant we will serve at risk or homeless veteran households with financial assistance and case management. We are honored to continue to serve this population as they so honorably served our country," said Christie Holderegger, VP Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada.

"The care and housing of our nation's veterans is a top priority for the City of Rancho Cordova," said Council Member Robert McGarvey, an Air Force veteran. "Rancho Cordova is a vibrant community with a strong military heritage that is home to over 5,000 veterans and their families. We are proud to have recently opened the first phase of Mather Veterans Village, which provides a home for veterans who are homeless and disabled. This grant will ensure that Rancho Cordova veterans, including those at the village, will continue to receive support services that address their unique needs."

This grant will allow the Sacramento VOA to continue to provide eligible veteran families with assistance in the form of obtaining VA and other benefits such as health care, income support services, financial planning, child care, legal services, transportation, and housing counseling. The VOA will continue to establish relationships with the local community to leverage supportive services that will enhance the housing stability of very low-income veteran families.

Congressman Bera has championed veterans' causes in Congress, including fighting for more transparency at the VA. In Sacramento County, Bera's office has held several resource workshops and career fairs specifically for veterans, and has helped more than 1,700 Sacramento County veterans with their government issues, returning over $1.8 million in owed benefits to veterans and their families.

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