From: Timothy Pena <tim.pena@outlook.com>

Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 9:40 AM

To: VHANYH FOIA Requests <VHANYHFOIAREQUESTS@va.gov>

Subject: [EXTERNAL] FOIA Request

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request

Timothy Pena

257 W. 29th Street #13c

New York, NY 10001

tim.pena@outlook.com

(602)663-6456

January 16, 2025

Freedom of Information Act Officer

Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20420

Subject: FOIA Request for Grant & Per Diem (GPD) Program Veteran Participation in New York City

Dear FOIA Officer,

Under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), I am requesting information regarding the number of veterans participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Grant & Per Diem (GPD) program in New York City. Specifically, I request the following data:

1. The total number of veterans enrolled in the GPD program in New York City for each fiscal year from January 2023 to December 2024.

2. A breakdown of veterans enrolled in each facility within the GPD program in New York City, including the names of those facilities.

3. Demographics of veterans enrolled in the GPD program in New York City, including age, gender, and service-connected disability status, if available.

4. The number of veterans who exited the GPD program in New York City annually, categorized as successfully or unsuccessfully discharged.

If possible, please provide this data in a machine-readable format, such as Excel or CSV. If any of the requested information is exempt from disclosure

under FOIA, please specify the reason for the exemption and provide any segregable portions of the record.

I am willing to pay reasonable fees associated with this request. However, if the estimated fees exceed $50, please contact me in advance for approval. Additionally, as this information is intended for public interest and transparency purposes, I kindly request that any applicable fees be waived under the provisions of FOIA.

Please confirm receipt of this request and let me know if you require additional information to process it. I can be reached via email at tim.pena@outlook.com.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response within the statutory 20-business-day timeframe as outlined by FOIA.

Warm regards,

Timothy Pena

(602)663-6456

US Navy Seabees

The Forgotten Veteran

Military Veterans in Journalism Veterans Justice Project

1. Total Number of Veterans Enrolled in the GPD Program (NYC)

• January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024: 451 enrollees
• Fiscal Year 2023 (Jan – Sept 2023): 243 enrollees
• Fiscal Year 2024 (Oct 2023 – Sept 2024): 270 enrollees
• Fiscal Year 2025 (Oct 2024 – Dec 2024): 164 enrollees

2. Breakdown of Veterans by Facility

• Number of Facilities: 1
• Facility Name: Borden Avenue Veterans Residence (Long Island City, Queens)
• Operator: City of New York Department of Homeless Services

3. Demographics of Veterans Enrolled (As of 1/22/2025)

• Service-Connected Disability Status: Not available

4. Annual Exits from the GPD Program (NYC)

Fiscal Year 2023 (Oct 2022 – Sept 2023)

• Successfully Exited: 109 (61%)
• Unsuccessfully Exited: 31 (14%)
• Total Exited: 178

Fiscal Year 2024 (Oct 2023 – Sept 2024)

• Successfully Exited: 111 (64%)
• Unsuccessfully Exited: 41 (24%)
• Total Exited: 173

Fiscal Year 2025 (Oct 2024 – Jan 21, 2025)

• Successfully Exited: 33 (72%)
• Unsuccessfully Exited: 5 (11%)
• Total Exited: 46

5. Monthly Enrollment Numbers (Sept – Dec 2024)

• September 2024: 124 enrollees
• October 2024: 134 enrollees
• November 2024: 130 enrollees
• December 2024: 131 enrollees

6. Monthly Exits from GPD Program (Dec 2023 – Dec 2024)

• Same as annual exits data in section 4.

7. Demographics of Currently Enrolled Veterans

• Same as section 3.

8. Monthly Enrollment Breakdown (July 2024 – Jan 2025)

• July 2024: 127 enrollees
• August 2024: 118 enrollees
• September 2024: 124 enrollees
• October 2024: 134 enrollees
• November 2024: 130 enrollees
• December 2024: 131 enrollees
• January 2025 (as of 1/22/2025): 124 enrollees

9. Monthly Enrollment (July 2022 – Jan 2025)

• 2022
• July: 139
• August: 139
• September: 135
• October: 145
• November: 154
• December: 159
• 2023
• January: 150
• February: 154
• March: 164
• April: 156
• May: 152
• June: 142
• July: 139
• August: 130
• September: 116
• October: 126
• November: 122
• December: 129
• 2024
• January: 135
• February: 143
• March: 151
• April: 153
• May: 147
• June: 123
• July: 127
• August: 118
• September: 124
• October: 134
• November: 130
• December: 131
• 2025 (as of 1/22/2025)
• January: 124