US Labor Department announces more than $5.4 million in job training grants to benefit homeless veterans

WASHINGTON, DC – August 5, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced 23 grants totaling $5,436,148 to provide homeless veterans with job training aimed at helping them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded by the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

“Too many of our veterans face difficulty making the transition from military service to the civilian labor force, and too many battle homelessness as a result,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “These grants will help more than 3,000 veterans in communities across the country access the resources they need to find good jobs and build bright futures for themselves and their families.”

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. These agencies are familiar with the areas and populations to be served and have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs.

Grantees serving 15 states will offer occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services for homeless veterans. HVRP is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of veterans who are homeless.

Grantees under the HVRP program coordinate their efforts with various local, state and federal social service providers. The grants announced today are the first of a possible four years of annual awards contingent upon satisfactory performance and congressional appropriations.

More information on the Department of Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found at http://www.dol.gov/vets.