A Federal Demonstration Project of Money Management Services for Veterans at Risk of Homelessness.

Abstract

With funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act and support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in 2023 more than $2.1 million was distributed to 13 community grantees to create or expand money management (MM) services for homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness. Technical assistance was provided, and data about MM services and participating veterans were collected across the 13 sites. Sites reported a mean±SD increase of 2.08 ± 1.50 in the types of MM services provided and that the most common new MM service offered was related to financial technology. MM services related to advance directives and financial monitoring were not implemented by any sites. A total of 348 veterans enrolled in MM services, and those who were followed over time reported benefits in financial well-being and mental health. The findings from this demonstration project indicate that with funding support, community organizations can expand the diversity and technology of the MM services they provide.