Congressman Xavier Becerra (D – Calif.) announced last week that The Salvation Army and the U.S. Veterans Initiative received more than $400,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help homeless veterans with special needs, including women, chronically mentally ill, frail elderly, terminally ill, and individuals who are responsible for the care of minor dependents.

“We must continue working to keep our promise to our veterans,” Becerra said. “Funding will help us serve those Angelenos who are among the most vulnerable of our homeless veterans. As His Holiness Pope Francis asked Congress yesterday, let us treat others with the same compassion with which we want to be treated.”

The local funding is part of $4 million of renewal funding offered through the VA’s grant and per diem program to 21 community agencies across the country that currently provide enhanced services for homeless veterans with special needs. The program promotes developing and providing supportive housing and services with the goal of helping homeless veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income, and enjoy the benefits of greater self-determination.