[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 96 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                           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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