A Tale of Two Transitional Programs

Timothy Pena • Oct 14, 2024

Veterans Affairs Transitional Program categorized as a  'Prison with a Day Pass'

Since 1994, the Veterans Affairs Grant & Per Diem (GPD) Transitional Program has awarded grants to community-based organizations to provide transitional housing with wraparound supportive services to assist vulnerable veterans move into permanent housing. Grant recipients are required to provide supportive services including housing resources, mental health services, transportation to VA appointments, employment, and a safe and drug-free environment. In addition to providing supportive services to the veterans in the program, but also provide outreach services to veterans in shelters and on the streets.


As Veteran's Day approaches, it is important to remember the veterans who are most vulnerable and in most need of supportive services. While my life was saved in the GPD program in Phoenix, in NYC I encountered a depressing, drug-infested, and violent shelter where veterans are being assaulted, overdosing, being threatened by staff and gang members, even dying. When a veteran dies of suspicious circumstances, there is no investigation for that VA-eligible veteran in a Congressional VA program. If that were to happen at a VA hospital or CLC, an investigation would be launched, and that veteran would be honored for their service.

Instead, veterans who die in shelters are being treated like trash. I spoke Secretary McDonough last month and to the veterans and explained to him why we need a Congressional Inquiry. It is time to hold officials in NYC Council and the Manhattan Veterans Affairs that are abusing us while in their care accountable for violations of the VA Rights and Responsibilities and Obstruction of Justice.


A tale of two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem Transitional Programs:


At Catholic Charities MANA House in Phoenix, 50+ other veterans and I were the security. I was paid a $300/mo. stipend as front desk clerk and never had an assault, an overdose, and certainly, NO veterans died. 

At NYC NYC Department of Homeless Services Borden Ave Veterans' Residence, Contracted Security is paid over a $1 Million to sleep in the hallways and at desks while veterans are being assaulted, overdosing, and even dying while in a Congressional VA Grant and Per Diem Program.


Shelter Security runs interference for violent parolees with NYPD. NYC Department of Veterans'​ Services (DVS) Housing Director Lamarr Wheeler calls Borden Ave "the Cadillac of Shelters." Veterans who are dying in the program under suspicious circumstances are loaded on a gurney and disappear while the VA and DHS refuse to investigate.

A Tale of Two Transitional Programs (printable pdf)

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