Library & Tools

There is no dedicated source of funding for SOAR programs. As a result, difficulty obtaining funds to pay the salaries of SOAR benefits specialists is a major reason that SOAR services in some areas are severely limited or nonexistent. Despite these challenges, communities have been resourceful in securing funding from a variety of sources.

Here are some tools that can assist your efforts to obtain funding for your SOAR program. Sample SOAR proposals and budgets, infographics, and the SOAR Cost Savings/Benefit Calculation Guide are provided, as well as links to external resources and trainings.

Here are some tips you should consider as you look towards supplementing your SOAR funding with crowd funding. 

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is an exciting funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for communities to design and implement a plan to prevent and end youth homelessness.

SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is now accepting applications for FY2023 Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI).

SOAR programs across the nation are looking for attention-getting ways to communicate with government officials, community providers, potential volunteers, and funders about the work SOAR is doing to help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness access Social Security benefits. Most of these stakeholders will look online to find information about your program.

SOAR programs can be funded through a variety of sources, including foundations, private donors, and businesses operating in your communities. 

The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center can help you obtain funding for your SOAR program by helping you identify opportunities that are specific to your community’s unique needs.

The CARES Act included additional Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding for communities. There is an opportunity for ESG recipients and Continuums of Care (CoCs) to use some of this funding to support dedicated SOAR case workers.

Connecting Veterans with Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits is a critical step to increasing income stability for Veterans and their families, particularly for those Veterans whose work activity is limited by disabling conditions. The SOAR model helps individuals obtain SSA disability benefits while they are pursuing their vocational and housing goals through the GPD Program.