[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 53 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4067-H4069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 1171) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal 
years 2010 through 2014, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1171

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans 
     Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS 
                   VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 2021(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``2009'' and inserting ``2014''.

     SEC. 3. HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH 
                   CHILDREN REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Grant Program.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 2021 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans 
       with children reintegration grant program

       ``(a) Grants.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of 
     Labor shall make grants to program and facilities that the 
     Secretary determines provide dedicated services for homeless 
     women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section shall be 
     used to provide job training, counseling, placement services 
     (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) 
     and child care services to expedite the reintegration of 
     homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
     into the labor force.
       ``(c) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) 
     The Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as that 
     Secretary considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the 
     distribution and expenditure of funds appropriated to carry 
     out this section. The information shall include data with 
     respect to the results or outcomes of the services provided 
     to each homeless veteran under this section.
       ``(2) Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in 
     such form and manner as the Secretary of Labor may specify.
       ``(d)  Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of 
     Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary 
     of Labor shall carry out this section through the Assistant 
     Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.
       ``(e) Biennial Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor 
     shall include as part of the report required under section 
     2021(d) of this title an evaluation of the grant program 
     under this section, which shall include an evaluation of 
     services furnished to veterans under this section and an 
     analysis of the information collected under subsection (c).
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) In addition to 
     any amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 
     2021 of this title, there is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2010 through 2014.
       ``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall 
     remain available until expended. Funds obligated in any 
     fiscal year to carry out this section may be expended in that 
     fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 2021 the following new item:

``2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
              reintegration grant program.''.


[[Page H4068]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois.
  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I would like to thank my distinguished colleague, Congressman John 
Boozman of Arkansas, for crafting H.R. 1171, the Homeless Veterans 
Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, to help our Nation's 
veterans overcome the barriers of homelessness. I would also like to 
thank Chairman Bob Filner and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota for the strong 
bipartisan leadership she demonstrated in working on this legislation.
  H.R. 1171, as amended, would augment current Federal programs by 
reauthorization of the Labor Department's Homeless Veterans 
Reintegration Program through fiscal year 2014.
  Specifically, this program would allocate grants for State and local 
workforce investment boards, local public agencies, nonprofit and 
community organizations to provide employment assistance and supportive 
services, such as transportation assistance in finding housing and 
referral for mental health treatment or substance abuse counseling.
  Furthermore, this legislation would authorize $10 million for fiscal 
years 2010 through 2014 to expand the Homeless Veterans Reintegration 
Program to address the unique needs of homeless women veterans and 
veterans with children.
  While the exact number of homeless veterans is unknown, the VA 
estimates that approximately 154,000 veterans were homeless across the 
country during the last week of January 2007. These homeless veterans 
will benefit from organizations like the Volunteers of America in 
Illinois, Medical Professionals for Home Health Care, and the Inner 
Voice, Incorporated, which currently participate in the homeless 
veterans reintegration program in my State of Illinois.
  Providing these organizations the resources to improve preventive 
measures and address the unique health and mental illness needs of 
veterans will help ensure our homeless veterans succeed in life after 
their service to our country. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in 
reaffirming our Nation's commitment to care for our servicemembers, 
veterans, and their dependents by supporting H.R. 1171.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 1171, as amended, the Homeless 
Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bill 
would extend the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, HVRP, through 
fiscal year 2014. This bill was introduced by Ranking Member Dr. John 
Boozman and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and I am proud to 
join him as an original cosponsor.
  I would also like to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin of the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and Chairman Filner and Ranking 
Member Buyer of the full Committee on Veterans' Affairs for moving this 
important measure with our first group of authorizing bills.
  At the proper time, I will yield to Ranking Member Boozman to 
describe his bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. HALVORSON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I want to first thank the chair of the 
Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, Herseth Sandlin, and the committee 
chairman, Mr. Filner, for bringing forth H.R. 1171, as amended, to the 
House. I am also grateful to Ranking Member Buyer for being an original 
cosponsor.
  Today, VA estimates that 154,000 veterans are homeless, down from 
250,000 just a few years ago. While the VA data shows that we are 
making progress in reducing the number of homeless veterans, there is 
still a need to get our veterans off the streets and into jobs.

                              {time}  1415

  That is why we need to continue the Homeless Veterans Reintegration 
Program, known as HVRP, administered by the Department of Labor's 
Veterans Employment and Training Service, or VETS. Madam Speaker, HVRP 
is being cited by GAO as an example of a successful program designed to 
put homeless veterans back to work. It is a relatively inexpensive 
program, authorized at $50 million per year and funded last year at 
about $26 million.
  The goal of HVRP is to put homeless veterans back to work. The latest 
data shows that in fiscal year 2007, HVRP providers served 13,446 
homeless veterans and put 9,061 back to work for a placement rate of 67 
percent. The average wage was $13 per hour with a cost per placement of 
about $2,407. If you figure a wage of $26,000 per year, a veteran in 
the 15 percent tax bracket would pay about $3,900 in Federal income 
taxes alone. That is a bargain for taxpayers who have gained another 
contributor to society.
  To be successful in returning veterans to full members of society, it 
is vital that homeless veterans programs offer more than just shelter 
and meals. Services such as substance abuse treatment and mental health 
services are needed to lay the foundation for a return to work whenever 
possible. It is the ability to make one's way in the world, to 
contribute rather than just take, that gives us a sense of self-worth 
and pride.
  I am also pleased that the Veterans' Affairs Committee voted 
unanimously to amend H.R. 1171, as amended, by adding the provisions of 
Ranking Member Buyer's H.R. 293, a bill that would create a separate 
program to employ homeless women veterans and veterans with children. 
Unfortunately, the homeless veteran population is seeing an increase in 
these two groups, and it is time to incentivize homeless providers to 
meet the needs of women veterans and veterans with children.
  Clearly, HVRP has played an important role in reducing homelessness 
among veterans, and that is why it is important to extend the program, 
which would otherwise expire next September.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield the gentleman as much time as he may 
consume.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. H.R. 1171, as amended, would continue the program 
through 2014. As always, I appreciate the hard work of our staffs, both 
on the Republican and Democratic side, in regard to this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I would urge each of my colleagues to support H.R. 
1171, as amended.
  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 1171, as amended, includes an amendment offered 
by Ranking Member Buyer during our full committee markup session on 
March 25, 2009. This amendment is similar to language in H.R. 293, the 
Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans With Children Act of 
2009, or what is also referred to as HVRP-W.
  Mr. Buyer's amendment adds the provisions of H.R. 293 to H.R. 1171, 
as amended, to create a new grant program that complements the current 
HVRP program with a focus on homeless women veterans and homeless 
veterans with children.
  As amended, H.R. 1171 authorizes a separate appropriation of $10 
million to fund grants to community organizations that provide service 
to homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Today, 
VA estimates there are about 154,000 veterans counted among the 
homeless, and this is indeed a tragedy. As many of you may be aware, 
women now comprise a larger percentage of our military, and in addition 
to sexual trauma, women are increasingly exposed to the same stressors 
and dangers as men, and we are now seeing more women in need of 
homeless services, including the training and employment services 
offered through HVRP.
  This legislation is critically important to our Nation's veterans, 
and expanding the program to include additional grant services for 
homeless

[[Page H4069]]

women veterans and veterans with dependent children continues our 
mandate to care for those who fought so bravely for many freedoms which 
we, as a Nation, enjoy.
  Madam Speaker, despite the headway this country has made in reducing 
the number of homeless veterans, we have much further to go in order to 
end homelessness among our Nation's heroes. I believe H.R. 1171, as 
amended, will go a long way towards this goal.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Having no further requests at this time, I yield back the balance of 
my time.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1171, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1171, as 
amended, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization 
Act of 2009. Ranking Member John Boozman of the Subcommittee on 
Economic Opportunity introduced this bill to extend the Homeless 
Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) through fiscal year 2014, and I am 
proud to join him as an original cosponsor.
  I would also like to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin of the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and Chairman Filner of the Full 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs for moving this important measure with 
our first group of authorizing bills.
  Madam Speaker, I am also proud that H.R. 1171, as amended, also 
includes an amendment that I offered in the full committee markup. My 
amendment is similar to H.R. 293, The Homeless Women Veterans and 
Veterans with Children Act of 2009, or what I refer to as HVRP-W.
  H.R. 293 was one of several bills I suggested that House Leadership 
include in the original stimulus package and is part of what I call the 
Noble Warrior Initiative which has received widespread support from the 
VSO community. My amendment adds the provisions of H.R. 293 to H.R. 
1171, as amended, to create a new grant program that complements the 
current HVRP program with a focus on homeless women veterans and 
homeless veterans with children.
  As amended, H.R. 1171 authorizes a separate appropriation of $10 
million to fund grants to community organizations that provide services 
to homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
  Today, VA estimates there are about 154,000 veterans counted among 
the homeless. With women comprising a larger percentage of our 
military, in addition to sexual trauma, women are increasingly exposed 
to the same stressors and dangers as the men and we are now seeing more 
women in need of homeless services including the training and 
employment services offered through HVRP.
  Therefore, I believe we need to add the focus of the HVRP-W to make 
sure that job skill services are being provided to homeless women 
veterans and veterans with children. These two groups have separate and 
unique needs and wants from those of what we think of as the 
traditional homeless veteran population.
  Here are a few facts from VA regarding homeless women veterans and 
homeless veterans with children:
  VA's March 2007 Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) contacted 
38,667 homeless veterans. About 4 percent were women.
  In 2008 VA and communities held 157 Stand Downs and aided 2,347 
homeless women veterans and 1,327 children.
  Last year VA's community based Homeless Grant and Per Diem program 
served 19,345 veterans including 1,277 women veterans.
  VA's Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans treated 5,905 veterans 
including 242 female veterans.
  The HUD-VASH housing voucher program for homeless veterans referred 
8,000 veterans of whom 880 were women. 1040 veterans (male and female) 
housed through HUD-VASH had dependent children.
  Madam Speaker as you may know, despite the headway in reducing the 
number of homeless veterans, there is still much more work ahead of us 
to end homelessness among our nation's heroes. I believe H.R. 1171, as 
amended, will go a long way towards this goal and I urge my colleagues 
to support the bill.
  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously 
support H.R. 1171, as amended.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1171, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend title 38, 
United States Code, to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration 
Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, and for other purposes.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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