Two Atlanta-based groups will receive more than $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to fight homelessness in veterans.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson said Action Ministries of Atlanta will receive $1 million and Decatur Cooperative Ministry Inc. will get $320,000 to provide financial and emotional support for veterans in the metro Atlanta area. The grants are part of a more than $100 million national effort to keep veterans from becoming homeless and to help homeless veterans.

The grants are a way to prevent veteran homelessness and provide housing for veterans currently on the streets, said Beth Vann-Turnbull, executive director of Decatur Cooperative Ministry.

Van-Turnball said the funding enables veterans groups to provide financial assistance to find housing for homeless veterans.

Tags: homeless, Atlanta veterans, Georgia veterans, Action Ministries, homeless veterans, Decatur Cooperative Ministry