News

🗞️ DOL Launches $23 Million Initiative to Combat Veteran Homelessness Through Employment

Department of Labor announces $23M in grants to help homeless and at-risk veterans through employment training, apprenticeships, and job placement services as veteran homelessness reaches historic lows.

onthelaborfront

16 Jan 2026 — 2 min read

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a $23 million funding opportunity on January 16, 2026, to support organizations working to prevent and reduce veteran homelessness through employment services. Administered by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) provides comprehensive employment assistance to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The announcement comes as veteran homelessness has reached historic lows, with 32,882 veterans experiencing homelessness in January 2024—a 7.5% decrease from 2023 and the lowest number since measurement began in 2009. Despite this progress, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer emphasized that "access to a good-paying job is one of the strongest tools we have to reduce and prevent veteran homelessness."

Grant recipients will receive up to $500,000 annually for a three-year period (total of $1.5 million per recipient), with approximately 63 awards expected. The program provides workplace skills training, supports participation in Registered Apprenticeship programs, facilitates on-the-job training, and delivers employment placement assistance. The initiative coordinates efforts across federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs' Homeless Programs Office.

Eligible applicants include state and local workforce development boards, federally recognized Native American governments, state agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations (including faith-based and community organizations), and public and private institutions of higher education. Applications are due March 6, 2026, with informational webinars scheduled for January 27 and February 25, 2026.

Key Points

Funding Amount: $23 million total, with individual grants up to $500,000 annually ($1.5 million over three years)
Expected Awards: Approximately 63 grants
Application Deadline: March 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
Eligible Recipients: Workforce boards, tribal governments, state agencies, non-profits, faith-based organizations, educational institutions
Services Provided: Skills training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, job placement assistance
Current Context: Veteran homelessness decreased 7.5% from 2023 to 2024, reaching historic lows of 32,882 veterans
Informational Webinars: January 27, 2026 (2:00 PM EST) and February 25, 2026 (3:00 PM EST)
Collaborative Effort: Coordination between DOL, HUD, and VA homeless programs