BERKELEY, Calif.—  The Department of Veterans Affairs has selected Berkeley Food and Housing Project (BFHP) to provide transitional housing and services at its Men’s Overnight Shelter. The Shelter is located in Downtown Berkeley at 1931 Center Street.

The Shelter provides emergency and transitional shelter for up to 53 homeless men every night. Twelve beds will be designated for homeless veterans. BFHP will also provide an individual service plan so that homeless veterans can eventually secure and retain permanent housing. Last year, BFHP helped 261 individuals find permanent housing.VA Director of the Grant/Per Diem Program, Roger Casey, wrote, “Assisting homeless Veterans continues to be a top priority of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

“We are very excited about our new partnership with Berkeley Food and Housing Project,” said Tracy Cascio, Program Manager for Homeless Services in VA Northern California Health Care System This program has a proven track record in serving Veterans who are experiencing homelessness. “We look forward to working with BFHP and having these additional resources for our Veterans in the Bay Area.”

Alameda County Veterans Service Officer, Michael Ennis, said, “This new program will combine government, nonprofit, and VA resources to help homeless vets get the help they deserve.”

Founded in 1970, BFHP is the largest homeless service provider in the East Bay, offering free community meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing and case management to solve homelessness. In the last three years, BFHP placed more than 500 clients into permanent, private housing.