June 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is taking aim at homelessness and its related issues affecting America's veteran population via tens of millions of dollars in grant money.
On Wednesday, VA officials said the availability of at least $42 million in federal grant money to eligible U.S. entities through the VA's legal services program hopes to address unhoused veterans and those at risk of homelessness through a number of various legal routes.
"Services to help Veterans obtain benefits, maintain access to housing and navigate other common legal issues can make a huge difference in preventing or resolving homelessness," said VA Secretary Doug Collins.
Federal dollars will be directed to qualified grant recipients to provide a slew of legal services for U.S. veterans, including court representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent evictions, aid with child-support court proceedings, custody or estate planning, help with obtaining federal benefits, and legal defense in criminal cases that may prolong or expand a risk of homelessness, such as warrants, fines or a driver's license revocation.
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