[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10807-10808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6256]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and
Training
Homeless Veterans Employment and Training Program; Notice of
Availability of Funds
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and
Training, DOL.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds (NOAF).
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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of $1.3 million for
applications for assistance in providing employment, training,
supportive and transitional housing services for eligible homeless
veterans. This notice sets forth the procedures for obtaining an
application for funds for the operation of a Homeless Veterans
Employment and Training Program funded by the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by HUD, Office of
Committee Planning and Development and the Department of Labor (DOL),
Office of Veterans' Employment and Training through grants with State
and local public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Funds will be
awarded competitively.
CLOSING DATE: The closing date for receipt of a completed application
package in response to this notice is April 15, 1996.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the application package and instructions for
completion may be obtained by written request directed to: U.S.
Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, Rm. N5416, 200
Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20210, Attention: Grants
Specialist Lisa Harvey, Telephone (202) 219-9355, or U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Special Needs Assistance
Programs, Rm. 7266, 451 7th Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20410,
Attention Paul B. Dornan, Telephone (202) 708-1226, Reference SGA 96-
03.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Substantive Description
(a) Authority
Funds available for this program are authorized by Title IV,
Subtitle C, Supportive Housing Program, of the Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Act, (Pub. L. 100-77). Funds made available under
this NOAF are subject to the statutory requirements for the use of
these funds as specified above and in accordance with the provisions of
the Job Training Partnership Act (Pub. L. 97-300) Title IV, Part C,
Veterans Employment Programs, (29 U.S.C. 1721).
(b) Purpose
The purpose of this NOAF is to fund projects and activities that
enhance the employability of homeless veterans. Successful grantees
will provide supportive services to this target group, with the focus
on employment and training service, to enable these veterans to obtain
jobs leading to economic self-sufficiency. Emphasis is also upon
placing such veterans into transitional and permanent housing through
coordination of community resources.
Under the ``continuum of care'' approach fostered by HUD and other
Federal agencies, achievement of independent living is a major goal in
serving persons who are homeless. This is linked to the fostering of
employment opportunities in the community as well as the enhancement of
the individual participants' skills. Services proposed by the applicant
should result to the extent possible in homeless veterans
[[Page 10808]]
becoming successful wage earners and taxpayers. Specific activities
proposed to achieve these goals and outcomes will be addressed in the
narrative portion of the application.
(c) Funding Availability
Approximately $1.3 million is available under this NOAF. The
funding source is the Supportive Housing Program authorized under Title
IV, Subtitle c, of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.
Project Funding will range from $50,000 to $100,000 per grant. Between
20 and 25 projects will be funded. Projects are targeted to begin on
May 15, 1996, for a period of nine to twelve months.
(d) Eligible Applicants
Entities which are eligible to submit applications for funding to
provide services to homeless veterans are (1) State and local public
agencies which have demonstrated effectiveness in serving homeless
veterans providing employment and training services and (2) nonprofit
organizations who have demonstrated effectiveness in operating
programs/projects serving homeless veterans by providing employment and
training related services.
``Local public agency'' refers to any public agency of a general
purpose in a political subdivision of a State which has the power to
levy taxes, spend funds, and has general corporate and police powers.
This typically refers to cities and counties.
All eligible applicants must demonstrate prior experience in
successfully operating an employment and training program for homeless
veterans; have proven capacity to manage Federal grants; and will
provide the necessary linkages for services.
II. Application Requirements
The application instructions will include a more detailed program
description, program guidelines, and approach to implementation. The
application package will consist of a standard application for federal
assistance form (SF 424), a narrative description of proposed
activities and current services, a detailed budget, and required
certification.
III. Applicant Selection Process
Criteria for identifying the most promising and effective proposals
will be applied, and it is anticipated that between 20 and 25
applicants will be identified as potential grantees. Selection criteria
will be based on the following core items: Need for the project--15
points; Quality of the project and employment and training goals--25
points; Capacity and experience in carrying out similar past projects--
25 points, Community coordination and linkages, especially as they
relate to HUD's ``continuum of care'' concept--20 points; and Cost
effectiveness to include leveraging of other community resources--15
points. The application package provides more specific detail on the
rating criteria. HUD and DOL staff will coordinate in the
identification and selection of grantees to provide services to
homeless veterans.
IV. HUD Reform Act Requirements
Technical Deficiencies
To the extent permitted by law, HUD and DOL may advise applicants
of technical deficiencies in the applications and permit them to be
corrected. Due to the requirements of the HUD Reform Act and DOL
procurement policy Federal staff are limited in the assistance they are
permitted to provide regarding applications for grants. The assistance
and advice that can be provided includes such activities as explaining
and responding to questions about program regulation. identification of
those parts of an application that need substantive improvement, the
dates by which decisions will be made and procedures that are required
to be performed to process and application. This does not include
advising the applicant how to make improvements.
In addition, any information published in the Federal Register and
in this NOAF, and any information made public through a means other
than the Federal Register, may be discussed.
Prohibition Against Advance Disclosure of Funding Decisions
The HUD Reform Act also restrains HUD employees involved in the
review of applications from providing advance information to any person
(other than an authorized employee of HUD) concerning funding
decisions, or from otherwise giving any applicant an unfair competitive
advantage.
Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance: Documentation and
Public Access Requirements
The HUD Reform Act contains a number of provisions that are
designed to ensure greater accountability and integrity in the
provision of certain types of assistance. The requirements of section
102 of the ACT apply to assistance awarded under this NOFA.
(I) Documentation and Public Access Requirements: documentation and
other information regarding each application submitted pursuant to the
NOAF will be sufficient to indicate the basis upon which assistance was
provided or denied. This material, including any letters of support,
will be made available for public inspection for a five year period
beginning not less than 30 days after the award of the assistance.
Material will be made available in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 522).
(II) Disclosures: HUD will make available to the public for five
years all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in
connection with this NOAF. Update reports (also form 2880) will be made
available along with the applicant disclosure reports, but in case for
a period of less than three years
The U.S. Department of Labor Grant Officer will insure the
integrity of this competition and will ensure awards are made in
accordance with appropriate U.S. Department of Labor and U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and the
criteria specified above.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 7th day of March, 1996.
Lawrence J. Kuss,
Grant Officer, Office of Procurement Services.
[FR Doc. 96-6256 Filed 3-14-96; 8:45 am]
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