PATERSON, N.J. – U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $300 million in grants to help very low-income Veteran Families prevent homelessness among low-income veteran families. "No one who has served our country should ever go without a basic need like housing being met," said Rep. Pascrell, a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army Reserve.

"These grants will help provide important support services to prevent veteran homelessness and quickly re-house veterans who become homeless. We cannot and will not look the other way when these heroes and their families are struggling."

The grants were awarded under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program and will fund organizations across all 21 counties in New Jersey. This funding will help six local organizations provide outreach, case management, and assistance obtaining VA and other benefits to New Jersey veterans and their families.

In January, Rep. Pascrell wrote a letter in support of Catholic Charities, as has been an advocate of the program in Washington, D.C.

Below is the list of recipients in New Jersey.

· Soldier On, Inc.

o Mercer, Burlington, Middlesex, Ocean, Monmouth, Bergen, Essex, Hudson
o $6,839,861

· Catholic Charities Dioceses of Camden, Inc.

o Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem
o $1,299,852

· North Hudson Community Action Corporation

o Bergen, Hudson
o $684,826

· Community Hope, Inc.

o Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren
o $3,035,661

· Catholic Family and Community Service

o Hudson, Essex, Bergen, Union, Passaic, Morris, Sussex
o $1,790,704

· Veterans Multi-Service Center, Inc.

o Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Cape May, Salem
o $2,047,411