{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bennie-thompson-announces-grant-awarded-mississippi-united-end", "CONGRESSMAN BENNIE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDED TO MISSISSIPPI UNITED TO END HOMELESSNESS", "2024-07-17", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BOLTON, MS- Today, Congressman Bennie Thompson announces the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding $26.8 million in legal services grants to a total of 108 public and non-profit organizations with the goal of increasing access to legal services for eligible Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness. Mississippi United to End Homelessness (MUTEH) is the only entity in Mississippi to receive the grant award.\n\nEnding Veteran homelessness is a top priority for the VA and the Biden-Harris Administration. \u201cEvery Veteran deserves access to safe, affordable, and permanent housing, and we know that legal support is among the most needed services by Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness,\u201d said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. \u201cThrough these grants, we are working hard to ensure Veterans\u2019 unique civil legal needs are met and drive towards our ultimate goal of ending homelessness for all Veterans and their families.\u201d\n\nThis grant program is enabled by the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, and ensures at least 10% of funding supports the provision of legal services for women Veterans. Individual grant awards are up to $300,000 for a 14-month grant cycle starting August 1, 2024. Grant recipients will deliver a variety of legal services to Veterans, including:\n\nProviding representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction.\n\nAssisting with court proceedings for child support, custody, or estate planning.\n\nHelping Veterans obtain benefits like disability compensation.\n\nDefending Veterans in criminal cases that can prolong or increase their risk of homelessness, such as outstanding warrants, fines, and driver\u2019s license revocation.\n\nUpgrading characterization of discharges or dismissals of former members of the Armed Forces.\n\nCongressman Bennie Thompson expressed his support for the grant, stating, \u201cThis funding is a critical resource in our mission to support Veterans who have served our country honorably. By increasing access to legal services, we are taking a significant step toward ending Veteran homelessness in Mississippi and ensuring that our Veterans receive the support they need and deserve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bennie-thompson-announces-grant-awarded-mississippi-united-end"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.907565001398325, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}