WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has renewed a grant to Preble Street in Portland for homeless prevention programs. Preble Street was awarded $749,777 and plans to serve approximately 337 households in the Portland region with these funds, provided through the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) Program. SSVF seeks to improve low-income Veterans families’ housing stability by providing support services to families living in or transitioning to permanent housing.

Additionally, the VA also renewed a grant in the amount of $1,000,000 through the same program to Veterans, Inc. based in Worcester, MA. Veterans, Inc. plans to serve approximately 400 households throughout New England, including many families in Maine.

"These Department of Veterans Affairs funds will help Preble Street and Veterans, Inc. provide valuable services to Maine’s homeless veterans and facilitate their transition back into the community," Senators Snowe and Collins said. "Just as our veterans served our country so selflessly in uniform, it must be our duty to serve and protect them as they face the economic and social challenges of homelessness."