VA GPD Transition In Place NOFO

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) National Program Office, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Transition in Place (TIP) grant model. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to end Veteran homelessness by supporting community-based organizations in delivering transitional housing that seamlessly leads to permanent housing solutions. The TIP model enables Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness to reside in suitable apartment-style housing with time-limited, intensive supportive services, and transition to permanent housing by assuming the lease or long-term agreement of the same unit. This NOFO responds to the complex and growing needs of homeless Veterans by providing funding for approximately 40 grants totaling 600 TIP beds across a three-year period. The grant supports the federal government’s commitment, as emphasized in Executive Order 14296, to improve access to care, services, and stable housing for Veterans. Awards are expected to be for a three-year project period, beginning on or around October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2029. VA reserves the right to allocate funding in full or incrementally, depending on program needs and performance outcomes. All funds are to be used strictly for operating costs related to the TIP transitional housing model. Capital improvements, vehicle purchases, and infrastructure costs are generally unallowable unless explicitly approved in writing. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and federally recognized tribal governments. Applications must offer 5 to 20 beds per VA medical facility catchment area and meet eligibility criteria outlined in 38 CFR § 61.1. Faith-based organizations are eligible on the same basis as all others. Notably, organizations with more than two undeveloped GPD grants, failed projects, or prior terminations due to noncompliance within the past five years are ineligible. Projects must pass VA inspections and be operational within 180 days of award activation, with annual reinspections required if Veterans remain in place beyond 12 months. The grant application process involves submitting materials via the online system, with required entity identifiers including an EIN, a UEI from SAM.gov, and an active SAM registration. Applications are due no later than February 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No late applications will be accepted, and applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the registration process well in advance due to potential delays. Applications must include responses to detailed narrative prompts, including project design, outreach strategies, staffing, service provision, coordination with VA and community resources, and performance metrics. Applications will be scored on six criteria totaling up to 1,000 points: Need (150 points), Outreach (100 points), Project Plan (300 points), Ability (200 points), Coordination (200 points), and Completion Confidence (50 points). Performance targets include achieving a 75% or greater rate of Veterans discharged to permanent housing, 70% or greater employment rate at discharge, and fewer than 20% negative discharges. Additional metrics include timeliness of housing transitions within 6–12 months. The VA may conduct risk and business reviews and impose conditions as necessary. The main point of contact for this NOFO is Chelsea Watson, Director of the VA Homeless Providers GPD National Program Office, who can be reached at (202) 461-0056 or GPDgrants@va.gov. Program and application guidance is available on the GPD website. VA expects to announce awards by August 2026 and finalize agreements by October 1, 2026. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds and does not accept advance payment requests. Grantees are reimbursed for actual costs incurred and must provide detailed financial documentation. This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review).

Emphasize low-barrier access and rapid housing transitions; Ensure all application materials are consistent and complete; Engage early with VA and CoCs