OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Florida affiliate of “faith-based, human service organization” VOA—formerly Volunteers of America—announced today that it will provide more than 100 Emergency Residential Services beds for veterans in three cities through a new contract with Veterans Affairs.
The rebranded 130-year-old nonprofit, known here as VOA Florida, said that a new one-year contract with Veterans Affairs’ Contract Emergency Residential Services (CERS), will transition 102 beds that were previously offered under a different program, the VA Grant and Per Diem program.
What this basically means is that instead of getting money to help veterans experiencing homelessness or semi-homelessness possibly get housing and support, VOA Florida gets direct and immediate access to that short-term housing while more support can be organized.
Of the 102 new beds under the VOA Florida-CERS contract, 36 will be allocated to the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care group. The remaining beds are split between CoC groups in Gainesville (18 beds) and Tallahassee (48 beds).
“Every veteran deserves a safe place to stay and the support needed to build a more stable
future,” said Janet Stringfellow, President and CEO of VOA Florida, in a statement. “This new CERS contract
strengthens VOA Florida’s ability to provide immediate, person-centered support to
veterans in three key Florida communities while helping them take the next steps toward
permanent housing.”
VOA Florida works through community partnerships to provide resources and support not only to veterans, but also to unhoused individuals and families, at-risk seniors and those with “mental health and cognitive conditions.”
The contract for the new beds is a one-year deal, in effect from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.