Introduction

As part of VA’s efforts to end homelessness among Veterans, in fiscal year (FY) 2014, VA enhanced employment services for Veterans through the implementation of HVCES.

The mission of Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES) is to provide employment services and resources to Veterans participating in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) homeless programs to increase access to permanent housing and improve housing stability.

Employment decreases the risk of suicide, improves the quality of life, fosters self-confidence and independence, promotes community integration, and supports long-term housing stability. 

HVCES Overview

HVCES staff are embedded in homeless programs within the VA Medical Centers (VAMCs), complement existing medical center-based employment services, and are a bridge to employment opportunities and resources in the local community. HVCES is staffed by Vocational Development Specialists and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors who function as Community Employment Coordinators (CEC) and Employment Specialists. CEC is funded at each VAMC, and Employment Specialists supporting the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program are funded at a limited number of VAMCs based on local needs. In addition, the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program has funded Employment Specialists at a limited number of VAMCs based on local needs.

HVCES provides a range of site-specific employment services rather than being a discrete program. There are no eligibility requirements for Veterans to receive assistance from HVCES other than participation in a VHA homeless program. HVCES staff ensure a range of employment services are accessible to Veterans who have experienced homelessness. These Veterans may need individualized support to overcome challenges preventing them from returning to work, such as a poor work history, lack of transportation and appropriate clothing, history of justice involvement, and co-occurring substance use and/or mental health issues.  

HVCES staff are tasked with:

• Working with VA homeless program and employment services staff, including VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Services/Compensated Work Therapy or CWT and the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) Veteran Readiness and Employment or VR&E, to identify employment resources available to serve homeless and at-risk Veterans, including chronically homeless Veterans.

• Collaborating with Department of Labor programs, such as Veterans’ Employment and Training Services or VETS, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program or HVRP, and Senior Community Services Employment Program or SCSEP, as well as locally determined community and state partners to provide training and support services to Veterans that are not available within VHA.

• Engaging employers to develop new job opportunities for Veterans who have experienced homelessness.

• Ensuring ongoing support services are available to homeless Veterans once they return to work and helping employers to address any issues with workplace adjustment.

FY 2025 HVCES Highlights

• Approximately 5,225 Veterans exited homeless residential programs with competitive employment (i.e., Grant & Per Diem (GPD), Low-Demand Supportive Housing (LDSH), and HCHV Contract Residential Services (HCHV-CRS)). 

• Approximately 12,700 Veterans were employed at the exit from all VHA homeless programs and services.

• Employment rates for Veterans housed through HUD-VASH and who exited the GPD program exceeded national targets.

• There were approximately 14,685 newly documented, unique instances of employment for Veterans engaged in or who exited from VA Homeless Programs or Services.

• Of those served in HVCES, 1,835 (12.5%) were women.

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