Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Expand Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to All 50 States

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), along with U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), have introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) to all 50 states and U.S. territories. The Reaching Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021 would ensure that grants are awarded in every state, while maintaining high-quality application criteria standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Reaching Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021 aims to expand the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) to all 50 states and U.S. territories, providing customized employment and training services to homeless or at-risk-of-homelessness veterans.
  • Currently, not all states have organizations receiving HVRP grants, including Kansas, Alaska, Nebraska, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.
  • The legislation would mandate the Department of Labor to ensure that HVRP grants are awarded in every state and U.S. territory, while maintaining the same high-quality application criteria standards.
  • In instances where a state or territory is without eligible applicants, the DOL would be mandated to coordinate an outreach and education program to increase awareness around HVRP and its benefits.
  • The legislation would also implement mandated reporting requirements for DOL on the HVRP application and selection process, providing Congress with the data necessary to discern future statutory or funding changes.
  • The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) has applauded this bipartisan effort to improve employment services for homeless veterans and help them reach their full potential in the workforce.
  • The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

Statistics:

  • Currently, not all states have organizations receiving HVRP grants, with six states (Kansas, Alaska, Nebraska, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia) not being served by this program.
  • The HVRP program offers customized employment and training services to homeless or at-risk-of-homelessness veterans, including occupational, classroom, and on-the-job training, as well as job search, placement assistance, and post-placement follow-up services.
  • Grantees of the HVRP program collaborate with public and private partners to provide access to housing for homeless veterans.

Sources:

  • Statement by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).
  • Statement by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
  • Statement by Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01).
  • Statement by Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01).
  • Statement by Kathryn Monet, CEO National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
  • The Reaching Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021 (bill text).