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“THE HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1498 on July 15, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005
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HON. JOHN BOOZMAN
of arkansas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce H.R. 3279, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2005. I am especially pleased that the Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, Ms. Herseth, as well as Ms. Brown-Waite, Mr. Evans, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Brown of South Carolina, Ms. Brown of Florida, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Filner, Mr. Baker, and Ms. Berkley join me as original cosponsors.
H.R. 3279 would reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, or HVRP, through 2009, currently the authority for this program expires at the end of fiscal year 2006. The legislation would also retain the authority to appropriate $50,000,000 to HVRP for each fiscal year.
HVRP, administered by the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service, is designed to take the men and women who are probably the most difficult population of veterans to serve off the streets and return them as productive contributors to society. It is a tall order and one that presents unique challenges to both the government and those who deliver services to homeless veterans. It is a well known fact that a very high percentage of this Nation's homeless have mental health and substance abuse issues. Unfortunately, homeless veterans are not immune to those concerns. In fact, some are so debilitated that they will never fully return to society outside a very structured environment.
HVRP funds are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible applicants such as: State and local Workforce Investment Boards, public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith based and community based organizations. Grantees provide an array of services utilizing a case management approach that directly assist homeless veterans as well as provide critical linkages for a variety of supportive services available in their local communities. The program focuses on employment and veterans receive the employment and training services they need in order to re-enter the labor force. Job placement, training, and development, career counseling, and resume preparation, are among the services that are provided. Supportive services such as clothing, provision of or referral to temporary, transitional, or permanent housing, referral to medical or substance abuse treatment, and transportation assistance are also provided to meet the needs of this target group.
The emphasis on helping homeless veterans get and retain jobs is enhanced through coordination with various veterans' services programs and organizations such as the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives, veteran service organizations, and the Departments of Veterans' Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services.
Today, VA estimates the number of homeless veterans to be about 185,000. This is a far too large of a number, in my mind, one homeless veteran is one too many. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.
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