Washington, DC - June 29, 2015 - U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice today announced that two local organizations have been awarded nearly $300,000 in federal grant funds to help homeless veterans on Long Island find jobs and sustainable housing. Easter Seals New York, Inc. will receive $150,000 and United Veterans Beacon House, Inc. will receive $145,000 through the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). HVRP grants are awarded to various state and local organizations to support efforts to provide homeless veterans with job training, job search and job placement services. Earlier this year, Rep. Rice co-sponsored H.R. 474, bipartisan legislation that would extend HVRP through fiscal year 2020. H.R. 474 passed in the House in May and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“The fact that there is even one homeless veteran in America is a disgrace to our country and to the men and women who have risked their lives to protect it,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “We know there are many homeless veterans living on Long Island, and many more at high risk of becoming homeless. These two organizations are on the ground working to help homeless veterans find good jobs and affordable, stable housing, and this federal funding is crucial to their efforts. HVRP is the only federal program that specifically supports homeless veterans, and I urge the Senate to pass our bill to ensure this program remains fully funded for the next five years.”
“This funding allows Easter Seals to expand our specialized support services for veterans in Nassau and Suffolk counties with reintegration challenges such as homelessness and joblessness,” said Rita J. Stella, Easter Seals’ Senior Director of Vocational Services for New York State. “We appreciate Representative Rice's support for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program which provides at-risk veterans with services, supports, and career opportunities so that they may flourish in their communities."