The Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation (RVHT) Grant Program

The Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation (RVHT) Grant Program is administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Public Transportation Division in partnership with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA). Established in 2019 with a legislative investment, RVHT was created to deliver essential healthcare transit services to veterans living in rural areas across Oregon. The program supports transportation for physical, mental, and behavioral healthcare needs, recognizing the unique access challenges faced by veterans in rural communities. Over the years, the program has expanded through increased funding, including a new allocation of $650,000 for the 2025–27 biennium. Leveraging unspent funds from prior cycles, ODOT expects to award up to $1,109,000 in this round. Funds are drawn from state lottery resources and may not be used for agency operations or maintenance. RVHT prioritizes operational and purchased services projects, and while planning initiatives are eligible, applicants must demonstrate a direct impact on healthcare access outcomes for rural veterans. The 2025–27 application process is structured as a two-tier competitive call. All applicants must first submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) by November 10, 2025. Based on the LOIs, the selection committee may directly award funding to successful preservation projects without requiring a full application. Other applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, with guidance and feedback provided by Regional Transit Coordinators. Full applications are expected to open in late 2025, with award notifications released in early 2026. Eligible applicants include counties, transportation districts, and federally recognized Indian tribes serving areas with a Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 4–10. Oregon’s tribes are categorically eligible, regardless of RUCA coding. Veterans served must meet the state’s statutory definition, and personal care attendants may also be transported. Services must be ADA-compliant and integrated with other transit programs when feasible. Funding awards are expected to range from $50,000 to $150,000, with a minimum request of $10,000. No local match is required, but projects with financial or in-kind contributions may be prioritized. Projects must operate under a 24-month schedule, submit quarterly reports, and follow fully allocated cost models. Fare collection is prohibited, though voluntary donations are allowed. Veterans do not need to use VA-funded facilities; access to any services that promote well-being, including dental, vision, nutrition, or mental health services, is eligible under the program. For inquiries, applicants may contact Hope Estes at hope.estes@odot.oregon.gov or reach out to their Regional Transit Coordinator. Services become reimbursable upon execution of agreements or as permitted under pre-award authority. Additional details and updates are provided through ODOT's Public Transportation Division website.

Submit LOIs early and clearly identify performance and innovation metrics; emphasize partnerships and risk assessment history; coordinate with your Regional Transit Coordinator to improve competitiveness.