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The brief describes the experiences of 54 veterans in Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), the services they most appreciated, and gaps they perceived in the services. It describes veterans’ pathways to HVRP and their perceptions about the accessibility and responsiveness of HVRP grant staff, the helpfulness of the services, and how they were treated (such as whether they were treated respectfully). It concludes with their suggestions for improving HVRP.

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Key Takeaways

• Thirty-one veterans described their referral to HVRP as a “warm handoff,” that is, where the referring agency made a connection to the HVRP grantee on behalf of the participant.
• Despite having navigated the enrollment process, many interviewed veterans reported a mixed understanding of HVRP eligibility requirements.
• Generally, veterans thought HVRP staff and the intake process were helpful and that the assessment accurately captured their needs.
• All veterans noted regularly communicating with HVRP staff.
• Across all grantees, veterans’ communication with HVRP staff was a mix of in-person visits, phone calls, texts, and emails.
• Thirteen veterans reported that HVRP staff focused on quickly securing them employment.
• Thirty-two veterans said HVRP grantees provided tangible resources to support job searches and employment activities.
• Twenty-two veterans expressed trust and respect in their working relationship with HVRP staff.
• Of the 54 interviewed veterans, 21 were employed at the time of the interview and 5 were looking for work; 15 of the 21 employed participants said they got their job through HVRP.
• Thirteen veterans expressed a tension between their case managers’ focus on quick-hire job placements versus finding the best fit for a veteran’s background and experience.
• Ten veterans described challenging work environments. Of the 15 veterans who found their current employment through HVRP services, 10 reported getting a job that did not typically follow a 9-to-5 work schedule.
• Twenty-four veterans shared that they experienced ongoing barriers to securing and maintaining employment, such as health challenges and limited access to transportation.
• Six veterans said that case managers should provide more tailored services and job placement recommendations.
• Two veterans suggested specific ways that case managers could improve the intake process to better serve participants. Two veterans also suggested improving the location of HVRP case management services, either in a private space for case counseling or by co-locating case managers at housing locations.
• Two veterans recommended improved communication processes. Both of these veterans expressed challenges reaching HVRP staff by phone and felt that increasing availability by phone would be helpful.
• Five veterans suggested that grantees could offer additional job trainings to help veterans develop new skills and better prepare for the workforce.
• Four veterans suggested other needed supports like help sending out resumes, more job fairs, and more opportunities to meet or connect with employers.
• Seven veterans expressed a need for non-employment services in their community, which they felt the HVRP grantee could fill.

Citation

Batko, S., Oneto, A.D., Rogin, A., Williams, A. (2022). Urban Institute. Experiences and Perspectives of Veterans Participating in the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.