Title 38 U.S.C. Section 2021
"...the Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force."
The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) is an employment focused competitive grant program of the Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS), the only federal grant to focus exclusively on competitive employment for homeless veterans. Initially authorized in 1987 under Section 738 of 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.
The Dual Purposes of HVRP
Reintegrating Individuals into the Workforce and Building Strong Systems
HVRP has two core objectives which are to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans.
HVRP grantees accomplish these objectives through a variety of core services:
Knowledge of Population
Grantees understand the unique needs of the veterans they serve and structure to meet those needs.
Outreach
Grantees use a flexible, non-threatening approach to meet veterans where they are. Outreach also includes activities to engage partners and employers.
Assessment / Intake
Grantees assess each veteran to determine program eligibility and to gauge job readiness and willingness to engage in employment services.
Case Management
Grantees use a veteran-centered approach to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) based on individual's strengths and preferences while addressing barriers.
Job driven Training and Placement
Grantees provide training that is targeted to the specific industries, occupations, and skills that are in demand locally. Training services can be provided in-house, through partners in the community, or through the local American Job Center.
Collaboration
Grantees collaborate with public and private partners at all levels (federal, state and local) to provide supportive services and access to housing.
National Priorities and Local Implementation
HVRP serves three different categories of veteran populations:
- Homeless female veterans and veterans with children
- Incarcerated veterans
- All other veterans experiencing homelessness that meet the criteria of the latest FOA.
The HVRP establishes national priorities for the overall program. Each HVRP grantee contributes to these priorities by placing veterans in these populations into competitive employment at the local level.
General Information
Program Documents
- GOTR TPR/TPN Checklist (PDF)
- On-site Assessment Form 2017 (PDF)
- At-Risk Income Eligibility Calculator (XLSB) Updated November 14, 2023
Program Resources and Partners
- Closeout FAQs (PDF) New!
- HVRP Glossary of Terms (DOCX) New!
- Policy and Guidance
- HVRP Eligibility Changes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF, nvtac.org)
- National Veterans Technical Assistance Center (nvtac.org)
- NVTAC HVRP Program Guide 2023 (PDF, nvtac.org) New!
- United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (usich.gov)
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
- HUD Initiatives and Programs for Homeless Veteran Service Providers (hudexchange.info)
- Stevens Amendment Desk Aid (PDF)
- HVRP Cash vs. Accrual Desk Aid (PDF) New!
Grant Application
- Search and Apply for Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) (grants.gov)
- Stand Down Grant Information
- Service Delivery Area (SDA) Saturation Map
Eligible Applicants
Applications for funds will be accepted from State and Local Workforce Investment Boards, local public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations. Applicants must have a familiarity with the area and population to be served and the ability to administer an effective and timely program.
Note that entities organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code are not eligible to receive funds under this announcement. Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, Public Law 104-65, 109 Stat. 691 (2 U.S.C. 1611) prohibits instituting an award, grant, or loan of federal funds to 501(c)(4) entities that engage in lobbying.
HVRP Performance
PY 2023 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) Quarterly Reporting Forms
- HVRP Participant Tracking Sheet (PDF) New!
- HVRP TPR/TPN Desk Guide (PDF)
- VETS-701 Technical Performance Report (XLSB)
- VETS-702 Technical Performance Narrative (PDF)
- VETS-703 Stand Down After Action Report (PDF)
HVRP National Targets and Outcomes
Program Year (PY) 2022 – July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
VETS awarded over $57 million to 56 new and 110 continuation HVRP grants that served 17,389 participants during Program Year (PY) 2022. Over 55 percent of HVRP exiters were placed into employment with an average hourly wage of $18.34. In the second quarter after exit, the HVRP employment rate was 36 percent and median earnings were $8,650.
DVOP Specialists and LVER staff also support HVRP grantees by providing workforce system resources to help grantees achieve job placement and retention goals. In PY22, grantees reported 73 percent of participants served were co-enrolled in various employment programs offered at American Job Centers.
Each year, VETS uses a small portion of HVRP funds to support grantee Stand Down events. These events, held in local communities, provide a variety of social services to homeless veterans, and serve as gateways into structured housing and reintegration programs. In FY23, VETS awarded $243,577 for 33 Stand Down events in 16 states.
The links below show the targets and outcomes for key performance indicators by Program Year (PY), to include demographic breakouts for age, gender, ethnicity, race, and population.