Department of Labor

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The U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) works to address one of the root causes of homelessness: lack of meaningful and sustainable employment. Increasing employment is one of the ten key objectives in Opening Doors. DOL focuses on helping Americans experiencing homelessness through targeted training programs and increasing access to employment opportunities that can lead to self-sufficiency.

Labor’s programs authorized under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) offer employment and training services to all individuals in need of assistance, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Additional services are available to Veterans through the Veterans Workforce Investment Program.

In addition, the Department of Labor’s Veterans' Employment & Training Service (VETS) administers a number of programs targeted at eliminating homelessness among Veterans. The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) is the only nationwide program exclusively focused on helping homeless Veterans reintegrate into the workforce. The program provides clear strategies for training, employment, and retention for homeless female Veterans and homeless Veterans with families. The Labor Department also partners with the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Transportation to operate the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which helps service members and their spouses make the initial transition from military service to the civilian workplace and provides grant funding to organizations within the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program network to sponsor Stand Down events. Stand Downs are one to three day events during which a variety of social services are provided to homeless Veterans to gain employment and housing stability. The VETS program also administers the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program to help gain employment and stability for Veterans transitioning out of jail or prison.

In addition, Labor’s Women's Bureau held a series of listening sessions to hear directly from homeless women Veterans about their unique challenges. The Women's Bureau is in the process of developing resources to better equip service providers to meet the unique experiences and needs of female Veterans.