The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration ProgramTitle 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 Goals of the Grant Program are to:

  • Provide career exploration, training, placement, and supportive services to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, empowering them to secure employment in stable, high-demand occupations paying wages consistent with the relevant market.
  • Establish strong partnerships between public, private, and nonprofit organizations, especially those that employ and partner with veterans who have experienced homelessness, to deliver services to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness to assist in overcoming barriers to employment.

HVRP grant recipients accomplish these goals through a variety of core services:

Knowledge of Population

Grant recipients understand the unique needs of the veterans they serve and structure to meet those needs.

Outreach

Grant recipients use a flexible, non-threatening approach to meet veterans where they are. Outreach also includes activities to engage partners and employers.

Assessment / Intake

Grant recipients assess each veteran to determine program eligibility and to gauge job readiness and willingness to engage in employment services.

Case Management

Grant recipients 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

Grant recipients 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

Grant recipients 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:

  • Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness
  • Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children
  • Justice-involved veterans

The HVRP establishes national priorities for the overall program. Each HVRP grant recipient contributes to these priorities by placing veterans in these populations into competitive employment at the local level.

General Information

Program Documents

Active Policy Guidance

VETS policies are on the Policy Guidance | U.S. Department of Labor page.

Program Resources and Partners

Grant Application

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.

VETS Grantee Reporting System

The VETS Grantee Reporting System (VGRS) is the performance reporting system for HVRP grant recipients. As of July 1, 2024, all HVRP grant recipients must use VGRS to create and submit their quarterly performance reports to VETS.

Performance

PY 2024 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) Quarterly Reporting

Targets and Outcomes

VETS awarded over $58 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funds to 159 HVRP grant recipients (72 new and 87 continuation) that served 15,974 participants during Program Year (PY) 2023 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024). Of the 11,421 participants that exited the program in PY23, 63 percent were placed into employment with an average hourly wage of $19.44.  The employment rate in the second quarter after exit was nearly 40 percent and median earnings for the quarter were $8,840.

The Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program staff helps HVRP grant participants achieve job placement and retention goals by providing workforce system resources. In PY23, grant recipients reported 11,706 HVRP participants (73 percent) were co-enrolled in various programs offered at American Job Centers (AJCs).

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 FY 2024 (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024) VETS awarded $294,611 for 40 Stand Down events in 18 states.