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[House Report 111-54]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     111-54

======================================================================

 
  HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

                                _______
                                

 March 26, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Filner, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1171]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 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, having considered the same, 
report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the 
bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     2
Purpose and Summary..............................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     3
Hearings.........................................................     4
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................     5
Committee Consideration..........................................     5
Committee Votes..................................................     5
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     6
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     6
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................     6
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     6
Congressional Budget Office Estimate.............................     6
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     8
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     8
Constitutional Authority Statement...............................     8
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     8
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     8
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported.............     8

                               Amendment

    The amendments are as follows:
  Add at the end the following new section:

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.''.

  Amend the title 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.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 1171 was introduced on February 25, 2009, by 
Representative John Boozman of Arkansas, the Ranking Member of 
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs. This legislation would reauthorize, through 
fiscal year 2014, the Department of Labor's homeless veterans 
reintegration programs and would establish an additional grant 
program to assist homeless women veterans and homeless veterans 
with children authorized through fiscal year 2014.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) was 
initially enacted in 1987 as part of the Stewart B. McKinney 
Homeless Assistance Act, Public Law 100-77 (101 Stat. 482), to 
expand services to homeless veterans beyond food and shelter. 
The Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001, 
Public Law 107-95 (115 Stat. 903), directed the Secretary of 
Labor to provide homeless veterans with job training, 
counseling, and placement services as part of a holistic 
approach to reintegrating homeless veterans back into society.
    HVRP is administered by the Department of Labor's Veterans 
Employment and Training Service (VETS) through a competitive 
grant program. Eligible grantees range from state and local 
government entities to a wide variety of non-profit 
organizations including those that are faith-based. Grants are 
made on a rotating three-year cycle and there are currently 
about 103 organizations receiving funding.
    The Department of Labor has provided the Committee the 
following programmatic information regarding the HVRP for 
fiscal year 2007:
    Funding: $21,809,000.
    Participants: 13,446.
    Employed: 9,061.
    Cost/placement: $2,407.
    The Committee notes that this program received $26.3 
million in funding for fiscal year 2009 and $23.6 million in 
funding for fiscal year 2008. The fiscal year 2008 estimate for 
the number of participants was 13,890 and the fiscal year 2009 
estimate for the number of participants was 15,095.
    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates the 
current homeless veteran population at 154,000 in January 2007, 
down from 250,000 in 2004. VA, the Department of Labor's VETS, 
and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offer 
several programs to assist homeless veterans. Among those 
programs, only HVRP seeks to provide homeless veterans with 
skills training and job placement as a means to return to 
society as a fully contributing member.
    As of September 2008, the VA estimated that the total 
veterans' population in the United States and Puerto Rico was 
23.4 million, of which 1.8 million are women. As women comprise 
an ever-increasing percentage of our military force the VA will 
see greater numbers of women seeking veterans' benefits and 
services attuned to their particular needs. One area where 
there is an increase in demand is in the area of homeless 
services for women veterans and for homeless veterans with 
children.
    The presence of children within the homeless community 
highlights the need for family-style housing and services in 
addition to the traditional HVRP training and job placement 
functions. A provider seeking grants under this section will be 
expected to include in its program the necessary resources that 
will enable children to attend school and that provide 
counseling to help the children cope with the problems that 
come with being homeless.
    The VA's Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness 
Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) reports that 
child care has been one of the highest unmet needs for several 
years, making it difficult to assist the veteran when the need 
for child care is present.
    VA has provided the Committee with the following data 
regarding homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with 
children.
     VA's March 2007 Northeast Program Evaluation 
Center (NEPEC) indicated that 38,667 homeless veterans were 
contacted through outreach efforts. About four percent were 
women.
     In 2008, VA and communities held 157 Stand Downs 
for Homeless Veterans. Participants included 2,347 homeless 
women veterans and 1,327 children. Stand Downs for Homeless 
Veterans are local events, staged annually in many cities 
across the country, in which local private and non-profit 
organizations come together to provide services for homeless 
veterans. Items and services provided at stand downs include 
food, clothing, showers, haircuts, medical exams, dental care, 
immunizations, and, in some locations where stand downs take 
place for more than one day, shelter.
     In 2008, 19,345 veterans were served in VA's 
community-based Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program including 
1,277 women veterans.
     Under VA's Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans 
Program, 5,905 veterans received treatment including 242 female 
veterans in 2008.
     Early 2008 reports under the Housing and Urban 
Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) 
Program for homeless veterans referred 8,000 veterans of whom 
11 percent were women and more than 13 percent of all veterans 
(male and female) housed through HUD-VASH had dependent 
children.
     VA has, for the past four years, monitored its 
outreach to veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan 
and seen 305 women veterans (10.2 percent) of all veterans 
contacted.
    To begin to address the problem of homeless women veterans 
and homeless veterans with children, H.R. 1171, as amended, 
would establish a new grant program with a separate $10 million 
authorization. The Committee believes that this will encourage 
more homeless providers to develop targeted programs. Such 
programs should specialize in family-style housing and a wide 
range of services designed to increase the employability of the 
parents and provide a safe environment for the children. The 
lack of such services could perpetuate the cycle of 
homelessness which could cross generations.
    The Committee believes that funding programs for homeless 
veterans, especially those serving women veterans and veterans 
with children are vital to continuing to reduce the number of 
homeless veterans. The Department of Labor is expected to 
implement the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans 
with Children program with a due sense of urgency and to keep 
the Committee informed of the progress.

                                Hearings

    On March 4, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
held a legislative hearing on several bills introduced during 
the 111th Congress, including H.R. 1171. The following 
witnesses testified: The Honorable Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas; 
The Honorable Steve Israel of New York; The Honorable Peter 
Welch of Vermont; The Honorable Lloyd Doggett of Texas; Mr. 
Justin Brown, Legislative Associate, National Legislative 
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Ms. 
Cheryl Beversdorf, RN, MHS, MA, President and Chief Executive 
Officer, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; Mr. John L. 
Wilson, Associate National Legislative Director, Disabled 
American Veterans; Mr. Mark Walker, Assistant Director, 
National Economic Commission, The American Legion; Thomas 
Zampieri, Ph.D., Director of Government Relations, Blinded 
Veterans of America; Mr. Patrick H. Boulay, Chief, USERRA Unit, 
U.S. Office of Special Counsel; Mr. Keith M. Wilson, Director, 
Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans. Those submitting statements for the 
record included: Mr. John M. McWilliam, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. 
Department of Labor; The Honorable Rodney Alexander of 
Louisiana; The Honorable Steve Buyer of Indiana; The Honorable 
Bob Filner of California; Mr. David French, Vice President, 
Government Relations, International Franchise Association; Mr. 
Thomas S. Whitaker, President and Deputy Chairman, North 
Carolina Employment Security Commission, on behalf of the 
National Association of State Workforce Agencies; and, the 
Paralyzed Veterans of America.

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    On March 19, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 
met in open markup session and ordered favorably forwarded to 
the full Committee H.R. 1171 by voice vote.

                        Committee Consideration

    On March 25, 2009, the full Committee met in an open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1171, as 
amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives, by 
voice vote. During consideration of the bill the following 
amendment was considered:

          An amendment by Mr. Buyer of Indiana to add a new 
        section establishing a new grant program to assist 
        homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with 
        children was agreed to by voice vote.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes 
on the motion to report the legislation and amendments thereto. 
There were no record votes taken on amendments or in connection 
with ordering H.R. 1171 reported to the House. A motion by Mr. 
Buyer of Indiana to order H.R. 1171, as amended, reported 
favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed to by 
voice vote.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance 
goals and objectives are reflected in the descriptive portions 
of this report.

   New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its 
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement 
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the 
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974.

                  Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

    H.R. 1171 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 
1171 prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate 
for H.R. 1171 provided by the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                    Washington, DC, March 26, 2009.
Hon. Bob Filner,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1171, the Homeless 
Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Camille 
Woodland.
            Sincerely,
                                        Robert A. Sunshine,
                              (For Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director).
    Enclosure.

H.R. 1171--Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act 
        of 2009

    Summary: H.R. 1171 would extend the Homeless Veterans 
Reintegration Program (HVRP) through 2014 and would create a 
similar grant program targeted at female veterans and veterans 
with children. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would 
cost $224 million over the 2010-2014 period, assuming 
appropriation of the specified amounts. Enacting the bill would 
not affect direct spending or revenues.
    H.R. 1171 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 1171 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 700 
(veterans benefits and services).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                2010    2011    2012    2013    2014   2010-2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program:
    Authorization Level......................................      50      50      50      50      50       250
    Estimated Outlays........................................       4      34      49      50      50       187
HVRP for Women and Veterans with Children:
    Authorization Level......................................      10      10      10      10      10        50
    Estimated Outlays........................................       1       7       9      10      10        37
Total Changes
    Authorization Level......................................      60      60      60      60      60       300
    Estimated Outlays........................................       5      41      58      60      60       224
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: HVRP = Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

    Basis of estimate:

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP)

    Section 2 would extend the HVRP through 2014 and would 
authorize the appropriation of $50 million per year for the 
program over the 2010-2014 period. HVRP provides grants to 
agencies and organizations that provide job placement, 
training, and vocational counseling to homeless veterans. Under 
current law, the authorization for this program will expire at 
the end of fiscal year 2009. Approximately $26 million was 
appropriated in 2009 for this program. Assuming appropriation 
of the authorized amounts, and that spending would continue to 
follow historical patterns, CBO estimates that this provision 
would cost $187 million over the 2010-2014 period.

HVRP for women and veterans with children

    Section 3 would create a grant program similar to HVRP 
specifically targeted at female veterans and veterans with 
children. In addition to job placement, training, and 
vocational counseling, funding could also be used for child 
care services. Section 3 would authorize $10 million each year 
from 2010 through 2014 for the new program. Assuming outlays 
follow the historical spending patterns of HVRP, and that the 
authorized amounts are appropriated, CBO estimates that this 
provision would cost $37 million over the 2010-2014 period.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1171 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state, 
local, or tribal governments.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Camille Woodland; 
Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa Ramirez-
Branum; Impact on the Private Sector: Elizabeth Bass.
    Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates regarding H.R. 1171 prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 
1171.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the 
Constitutional authority for H.R. 1171 is provided by Article 
I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation

Section 1. Short title

    This section would provide the short title of H.R. 1171, as 
amended, as the ``Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program 
Reauthorization Act of 2009.''

Section 2. Reauthorization of appropriations for Homeless Veterans 
        Reintegration Program

    This section would reauthorize appropriations for the 
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program through 2014.

Section 3. Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children 
        Reintegration Grant Program

    This section would require, subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Secretary of Labor to make grants to 
programs and facilities that the Secretary determines would 
provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and 
homeless veterans with children. The program would be 
authorized at $10 million for each fiscal year 2010 through 
2014.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

               CHAPTER 20 OF TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE

               CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

       Subchapter I--Purpose; Definitions; Administrative Matters

Sec.
2001.  Purpose.
     * * * * * * *

                  Subchapter III--Training and Outreach

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

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                 Subchapter III--Training and Outreach

Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans reintegration programs

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section amounts 
as follows:
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 
        [2009] 2014.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                                  
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