Grant funding available from US Labor Department for workforce investment boards, organizations to provide employment services for homeless veterans

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a competition for grants totaling more than $5 million through the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to provide approximately 3,000 homeless veterans with job training and other services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

"No one should face homelessness. But statistics reveal that a disturbingly large percentage of our homeless population is made up of veterans," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program will help these veterans prepare for and obtain meaningful employment so they can establish a more stable civilian life."

Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations. Grantees must be familiar with the areas and populations to be served and demonstrate that they can administer effective programs. They will coordinate their efforts with other local, state and federal social service providers to provide homeless veterans with occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services.

Administered through the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on the employment of veterans who are homeless.

A copy of the solicitation for grant applications is available at http://s.dol.gov/FY. Information about the Department of Labor's programs for veterans is available at http://www.dol.gov/vets.