Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program aims to improve very low income veteran families’ housing stability. SSVF provides outreach and case management services and assists participants in obtaining VA benefits and other public benefits. Veterans may qualify for short term rental assistance or assistance with first month’s rent, security deposit and /or utility assistance. The SSVF program is implemented through our Housing Resource Center.

Services and Eligibility

SSVF provides rental assistance to eligible veterans. The assistance includes:

Security deposit

Other rental assistance

Application fee

Rental arrearage and late fees

Utility assistance

Moving costs

In addition to rental assistance, SSVF case managers will assist veterans and their families to obtain VA and other public benefits, childcare, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and opportunities for skill building, job training and education. Case managers will work closely with veteran-serving agencies and community partners to facilitate veterans accessing these services.

Because the SSVF program is a short-term intervention, it is intended for veterans who have good familial or personal supports that would enable them to take advantage of the program and move toward self-sufficiency.

Eligibility Requirements

Veteran must have discharge status of conditions other that dishonorable

Resides in Wayne (Detroit/Highland Park/Hamtramck), Oakland, or Macomb County.

Household income does not exceed 50% of area median income for veteran family that is literally homeless or in need of homeless prevention services.

Household income does not exceed 30% of area median income for single veteran literally homeless or 50% for a single veteran in need of homeless prevention services.

Documentation Required

Proof of Service/DD214

State issued identification for household members 18 years and older

Social Security card for all household members (adults and children)

Proof of household income (employment, SSI, SSDI, pension, etc.)

Verification of homelessness or Judgment of Eviction/Demand for possession

RESULTS

Since the program began in 2012, SSVF has assisted more than 2500 low-income veterans and their families

Find or retain housing and obtain support services to better their lives.

In 2019, 500 veterans received our help paying their rent, rental deposit, and utilities. We helped the veterans find affordable housing, assisted them with moving expenses and child care support. We also helped many access their VA benefits as well.

Because of the success of Southwest Solutions’ SSVF, the VA has selected it to serve as a mentor grantee to help other SSVF programs serve veterans more effectively

Through a partnership with Community Housing Network of Oakland County, Southwest Solutions’ program has expanded its services into Oakland and Macomb counties

One-third of the veterans helped by SSVF are veterans who have returned from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts; 94% of those served have a household income below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI)

FEATURED STORY

How two programs helped a veteran with housing and employment

February 21st, 2022

Dean Matthew* is someone who lives his life on his own terms. He is a self-taught individual from the “School of Hard Knocks,” as he…

PROGRAMS