Homes for Heroes bills introduced
House VA Holds Hearing on
National Commitment to End Veterans’ Homelessness
Homes for Heroes Act S. 1160 sponsored by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and co-sponsored by New Jersey Senator Menendez has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The legislation, S. 1160, is very similar to legislation that was introduced in the 110th Congress by then-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). This legislation would address the severe problem of veteran’s homelessness and housing crises by authorizing new housing vouchers for homeless veterans and their families create the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs at HUD, and a new $200 million housing production program to benefit low-income veterans. It would also provide funding for 20,000 new housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans.
To read the full text of the legislation click here.
The House version of the bill is H. 403. The bill’s primary sponsor is Congressman Al Green (D-Tx). The bill has 39 co-sponsor but none from NJ. To read the full text of the bill click here.
The Homes for Heroes Act was one of the items that was included in the 1st Annual Congressional Report Card.
In a related action, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a Hearing on Ending Veterans’ Homelessness on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. The hearing was entitled “A National Commitment to End Veterans’ Homelessness.” Witnesses included veterans’ advocacy organizations, service providers, department leadership and VA leadership. Testimony touched on changes to the VA’s Grant and Per Diem program, HUD-VASH, and proposals to prevent homelessness for at-risk veterans. Committee members reaffirmed their shared commitment to ending homelessness among veterans and their willingness to further consider changes to the Grant and Per Diem program, as well as a desire to better understand how to reach and treat homeless veterans. Click here for more information.
