[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10807-10808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6256]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and 
Training


Homeless Veterans Employment and Training Program; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and 
Training, DOL.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds (NOAF).

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of $1.3 million for 
applications for assistance in providing employment, training, 
supportive and transitional housing services for eligible homeless 
veterans. This notice sets forth the procedures for obtaining an 
application for funds for the operation of a Homeless Veterans 
Employment and Training Program funded by the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by HUD, Office of 
Committee Planning and Development and the Department of Labor (DOL), 
Office of Veterans' Employment and Training through grants with State 
and local public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Funds will be 
awarded competitively.

CLOSING DATE: The closing date for receipt of a completed application 
package in response to this notice is April 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the application package and instructions for 
completion may be obtained by written request directed to: U.S. 
Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, Rm. N5416, 200 
Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20210, Attention: Grants 
Specialist Lisa Harvey, Telephone (202) 219-9355, or U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Special Needs Assistance 
Programs, Rm. 7266, 451 7th Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20410, 
Attention Paul B. Dornan, Telephone (202) 708-1226, Reference SGA 96-
03.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Substantive Description

(a) Authority

    Funds available for this program are authorized by Title IV, 
Subtitle C, Supportive Housing Program, of the Stewart B. McKinney 
Homeless Assistance Act, (Pub. L. 100-77). Funds made available under 
this NOAF are subject to the statutory requirements for the use of 
these funds as specified above and in accordance with the provisions of 
the Job Training Partnership Act (Pub. L. 97-300) Title IV, Part C, 
Veterans Employment Programs, (29 U.S.C. 1721).

(b) Purpose

    The purpose of this NOAF is to fund projects and activities that 
enhance the employability of homeless veterans. Successful grantees 
will provide supportive services to this target group, with the focus 
on employment and training service, to enable these veterans to obtain 
jobs leading to economic self-sufficiency. Emphasis is also upon 
placing such veterans into transitional and permanent housing through 
coordination of community resources.
    Under the ``continuum of care'' approach fostered by HUD and other 
Federal agencies, achievement of independent living is a major goal in 
serving persons who are homeless. This is linked to the fostering of 
employment opportunities in the community as well as the enhancement of 
the individual participants' skills. Services proposed by the applicant 
should result to the extent possible in homeless veterans

[[Page 10808]]
becoming successful wage earners and taxpayers. Specific activities 
proposed to achieve these goals and outcomes will be addressed in the 
narrative portion of the application.

(c) Funding Availability

    Approximately $1.3 million is available under this NOAF. The 
funding source is the Supportive Housing Program authorized under Title 
IV, Subtitle c, of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. 
Project Funding will range from $50,000 to $100,000 per grant. Between 
20 and 25 projects will be funded. Projects are targeted to begin on 
May 15, 1996, for a period of nine to twelve months.

(d) Eligible Applicants

    Entities which are eligible to submit applications for funding to 
provide services to homeless veterans are (1) State and local public 
agencies which have demonstrated effectiveness in serving homeless 
veterans providing employment and training services and (2) nonprofit 
organizations who have demonstrated effectiveness in operating 
programs/projects serving homeless veterans by providing employment and 
training related services.
    ``Local public agency'' refers to any public agency of a general 
purpose in a political subdivision of a State which has the power to 
levy taxes, spend funds, and has general corporate and police powers. 
This typically refers to cities and counties.
    All eligible applicants must demonstrate prior experience in 
successfully operating an employment and training program for homeless 
veterans; have proven capacity to manage Federal grants; and will 
provide the necessary linkages for services.

II. Application Requirements

    The application instructions will include a more detailed program 
description, program guidelines, and approach to implementation. The 
application package will consist of a standard application for federal 
assistance form (SF 424), a narrative description of proposed 
activities and current services, a detailed budget, and required 
certification.

III. Applicant Selection Process

    Criteria for identifying the most promising and effective proposals 
will be applied, and it is anticipated that between 20 and 25 
applicants will be identified as potential grantees. Selection criteria 
will be based on the following core items: Need for the project--15 
points; Quality of the project and employment and training goals--25 
points; Capacity and experience in carrying out similar past projects--
25 points, Community coordination and linkages, especially as they 
relate to HUD's ``continuum of care'' concept--20 points; and Cost 
effectiveness to include leveraging of other community resources--15 
points. The application package provides more specific detail on the 
rating criteria. HUD and DOL staff will coordinate in the 
identification and selection of grantees to provide services to 
homeless veterans.

IV. HUD Reform Act Requirements

Technical Deficiencies

    To the extent permitted by law, HUD and DOL may advise applicants 
of technical deficiencies in the applications and permit them to be 
corrected. Due to the requirements of the HUD Reform Act and DOL 
procurement policy Federal staff are limited in the assistance they are 
permitted to provide regarding applications for grants. The assistance 
and advice that can be provided includes such activities as explaining 
and responding to questions about program regulation. identification of 
those parts of an application that need substantive improvement, the 
dates by which decisions will be made and procedures that are required 
to be performed to process and application. This does not include 
advising the applicant how to make improvements.
    In addition, any information published in the Federal Register and 
in this NOAF, and any information made public through a means other 
than the Federal Register, may be discussed.

Prohibition Against Advance Disclosure of Funding Decisions

    The HUD Reform Act also restrains HUD employees involved in the 
review of applications from providing advance information to any person 
(other than an authorized employee of HUD) concerning funding 
decisions, or from otherwise giving any applicant an unfair competitive 
advantage.

Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance: Documentation and 
Public Access Requirements

    The HUD Reform Act contains a number of provisions that are 
designed to ensure greater accountability and integrity in the 
provision of certain types of assistance. The requirements of section 
102 of the ACT apply to assistance awarded under this NOFA.
    (I) Documentation and Public Access Requirements: documentation and 
other information regarding each application submitted pursuant to the 
NOAF will be sufficient to indicate the basis upon which assistance was 
provided or denied. This material, including any letters of support, 
will be made available for public inspection for a five year period 
beginning not less than 30 days after the award of the assistance. 
Material will be made available in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 522).
    (II) Disclosures: HUD will make available to the public for five 
years all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in 
connection with this NOAF. Update reports (also form 2880) will be made 
available along with the applicant disclosure reports, but in case for 
a period of less than three years
    The U.S. Department of Labor Grant Officer will insure the 
integrity of this competition and will ensure awards are made in 
accordance with appropriate U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and the 
criteria specified above.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 7th day of March, 1996.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer, Office of Procurement Services.
[FR Doc. 96-6256 Filed 3-14-96; 8:45 am]
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