Federal agencies partner to expand employment reintegration grants for homeless Veterans or those at risk of homelessness

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) collaborated in August to successfully roll out the recently expanded Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), which will help more than 18,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans secure meaningful employment and stable housing.

HVRP grants in excess of $48 million were awarded to 149 community organizations, serving more Veterans than ever before.

“In order to stay securely housed, most Americans, including Veterans, need employment to support themselves and their families,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA, DOL, USICH and our community partners are dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk Veterans access job opportunities that aid them in exiting or avoiding homelessness.”

The recent legislation expands program eligibility to include:

• Veterans who, upon enrollment in HVRP, were homeless at any point during the preceding 60 days but have found housing.
• Veterans participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, Tribal HUD-VASH or VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families  programs.
• Veterans who are receiving assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996.
• Veterans who are incarcerated or who are transitioning from incarceration.

Through HRVP, eligible Veterans receive employment training, transportation, professional clothing, apprenticeship opportunities, on-the-job training as well as job search and placement assistance. VA can also help these Veterans access medical care and permanent housing through a partnership with HUD.

“The Department of Labor is proud to work with VA and USICH to help end Veteran homelessness,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella . “We must ensure that those who served our country have a country that helps serve them.”

The collaborative effort between VA, DOL and USICH includes informational sessions and webinars for grant awardees, VA staff and community partners to learn how to improve employment outcomes for eligible Veterans using these programs. The grants were awarded to non-profit organizations nationwide, such as state and local workforce investment boards, tribal governments and faith-based organizations.

“This interagency collaboration will help ensure that Veterans who are at risk, or who are currently or recently homeless, find employment success,” said USICH Executive Director Matthew Doherty. “The expanded eligibility for the HVRP program supports nationwide efforts to help Veterans move quickly into housing that becomes their springboard for achieving their goals for themselves and their families.”

HVRP is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on the employment of Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Initially authorized under Section 738 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, HVRP and its companion programs are currently authorized under Title 38 U.S.C. Sections 2021, 2021A, and 2023.

Visit www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp to learn more about HVRP. To learn more about VA Homeless Programs Office, visit www.va.gov/homeless.