WASHINGTON – Homeless veterans in Texas will get more assistance, thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) selection of three community organizations to receive $714,531 for homeless veterans this year. Receiving the VA grants were the following: Opportunity Center for Homeless in El Paso for $183,303 towards 10 beds; Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County in Fort Worth for $437,500 towards 24 beds; and United States Veterans Initiative in Houston for $93,728 towards 20 beds. The announcement for Texas programs was part of an announcement that unveiled $24 million in grants for homeless programs in 37 states. 92 community-based groups will receive the VA funding. The grants are part of VA's continuing efforts to reduce homelessness among veterans. VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country. In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians working with community partners conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatments, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance. VA estimates that fewer than 200,000 veterans may be homeless on an average night, which represents a 20 percent reduction during the past six years.