The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), has announced the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA-VETS-25-01) for the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), which also includes the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) and the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC). This program is designed to assist homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness in obtaining meaningful employment and reintegrating into the workforce.

DOL/VETS has allocated approximately $17,000,000 for competitive grants under this announcement. Each applicant may request up to $500,000 for the first year, with the total funding amounting to $1,500,000 over a three-year period. The performance period for the grant begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2028. The funding is contingent on Congressional appropriation, and additional funds may be used to select more grant recipients.

Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities, nonprofits, small businesses, and workforce development boards. Applicants must maintain a physical presence in the communities they intend to serve and demonstrate the ability to deliver case management and employment services effectively. Cost-sharing is not required under this program.

The grant funds may be used for job training, supportive services, and employment assistance for eligible veterans, particularly those facing housing instability. The program prioritizes partnerships with local employers, American Job Centers (AJCs), and other workforce development organizations to provide on-the-job training (OJT), apprenticeships, transitional jobs, and other employment pathways. HVRP grantees must ensure a case management approach to service delivery and align employment placements with living wage standards in their service areas.

The application deadline is March 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. A Prospective Applicant Webinar will be held on February 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET, and again on February 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET, to provide guidance on eligibility, application procedures, and required documents. The program evaluation criteria focus on statement of need, expected outcomes, project design, fiscal and administrative capacity, past performance, and budget justification.

Amendments to the original FOA include updates to eligibility criteria, wage benchmarks, and employer engagement strategies, ensuring that grantees prioritize fair wages and employment sustainability for veterans. The requirement for a HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Letter of Support has been removed from mandatory screening but remains a requested attachment for application evaluation. For additional inquiries, applicants may contact HVRPFOA@dol.gov.