VetsFirst strongly supports the efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to end homelessness for veterans.
VetsFirst believes that by focusing on the needs of homeless veterans, many of whom have disabilities, more veterans with service-connected disabilities will receive the benefits and services needed to allow them to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Access to VA disability compensation can provide critical financial resources for veterans with disabilities that are connected to their service. As a result, the VA must provide information about programs available to help veterans who are homeless to all community-based organizations that work with people who are homeless. Many community-based organizations are stretched to near breaking in their efforts to provide services. The resources available from the VA must be accessible to those who are on the front lines of this battle. The VA must also develop a variety of materials to educate providers about the special needs of homeless veterans.
Furthermore, the VA must ensure that veterans who contact the VA are made aware of community programs that can be of assistance. Programs available through other federal, state and local agencies may provide additional, immediate resources that could further assist veterans. These types of resources, including emergency services, are also important to preventing veterans from becoming homeless.
Ending homelessness among veterans will be a continuing battle to ensure that those who are able to receive needed supports are able to reintegrate into their communities and that robust interventions are in place to prevent additional veterans from becoming homeless. The VA must also continue to evolve to meet the changing face of homelessness and the unique needs of today’s veterans, including the increasing number of women who are serving and the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries among returning servicemembers. Unless homelessness remains at the forefront of program efforts for the foreseeable future, budget cuts and societal indifference could result in a return to homelessness for many veterans.
Just the facts: VetsFirst supports legislation that will provide the resources and tools needed to eliminate homelessness for veterans, including the Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 (S. 1237), which includes provisions of the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 (S. 1547), and the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R. 4810), which includes provisions from H.R. 2504; Help Our Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 2559), as amended; H.R. 2735, as amended; and H.R. 3906.