Homeless veterans in the Joplin, Missouri area will have greater access to vital services, thanks to a major grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to a Webb City organization.

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently made a check presentation for $415,619 to The House, Inc., to support its program for homeless veterans.

VA is the only federal agency offering substantial hands-on assistance directly to the homeless. About 200,000 veterans may be homeless on any night.

The Webb City grant was among 72 distributed nationwide by VA, valued at nearly $14 million.