It is shocking that those who heroically served
Many of these veterans’ problems are compounded with struggles against mental illness, substance abuse, or simply finding a steady income to afford a place to live.
Though local organizations and communities across America have taken the initiative to create plans to end homelessness, they should not be expected to bear this burden alone.
As a member of the Senate
She has used her role as Chair of the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee to secure funding for an innovative joint program between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide thousands of homeless veterans with housing vouchers and case management services so that they have access to safe and stable housing and get the services they need. These vouchers will give communities important tools to help end homelessness for the many veterans who are now living on our streets and in shelters. Senator Murray is also fighting to fund programs aimed at preventing veterans from becoming homeless.
Senator Murray also introduced first-of-its-kind legislation that focuses specifically on helping homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. The Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act (S. 1237) would extend federal grant programs to help local organizations provide services including transitional housing, job training, counseling, and child care to the children of homeless veterans. Statistics show that the numbers of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children are on the rise. In fact, in many parts of Washington state transitional housing units for families are filled as quickly as they become available.
The consequences of inadequate care for our veterans are
great. Senator Murray raised the red
flags about insufficient resources for the VA early in our current conflicts in
The government must take steps to end homelessness for the many veterans living on our streets, and it must prevent more of our returning veterans from becoming homeless.