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Federal Policy Brief | 4 Nov 2009
Author: National Alliance to End Homelessness
President Obama and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki have made
ending veterans homelessness a top priority, prompting Congress to explore several legislative
solutions to the problem. In order to truly end homelessness among veterans, resources must be
available to identify every veteran who is homeless or about to become homeless. Programs must
be able to immediately secure the needed housing and services for that individual and/or their
families.
Congress should enact the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009, S. 1547, and the Homes for Heroes Act of 2009, S. 1160 / H.R. 403. This is comprehensive legislation to:
1. Create a homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA must have the capacity to identify and provide assistance to all veterans who either have recently lost their housing or are in danger of doing so. The Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act, S. 1587 authorizes the VA to provide homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing
services, which include: working with landlords and family members to resolve
conflicts; connecting veterans with needed employment, benefits, health care, and other
income and services; and providing short-term financial assistance for rent and or eviction
prevention.
2. Continue to expand the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH).
The HUD-VASH program provides rental assistance through HUD’s Section 8 voucher program;
and case management, treatment and support services through the VA. It replicates the highly
successful model of permanent supportive housing, getting veterans with the most severe,
permanent disabilities off the streets and in to safe affordable housing. Congress has already
funded 20,000 HUD-VASH vouchers, and Congress should pass S. 1547, which authorizes
10,000 new HUD-VASH vouchers each year to reach a goal of 60,000 vouchers—the number
needed to provide housing for all homeless veterans in need of an intensive, long-term
intervention.
3. Ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing for veterans with low incomes.
An increase in housing for veterans with low incomes is needed to prevent and end
homelessness. The Homes for Heroes Act, S. 1160 / H.R. 403, would create a new program
within HUD to develop supportive housing. The Homes for Heroes program is an essential
companion to the HUD-VASH program, and the bill would authorize 20,000 rental vouchers for
veterans and their families who have severe housing cost burden (pay over 50 percent of their
income toward housing).
4. Enhance existing VA homelessness programs.
Programs such as the Homeless Grant and Per Diem program—temporary housing assistance
linked to support services—need policy adjustments in order to be part of a comprehensive
system to end homelessness for veterans. Only through better alignment with other federal
housing programs, more flexibility in service delivery, and a greater focus on outcomes and
appropriate targeting can veteran homelessness be addressed to scale. The Zero Tolerance for
Veterans Homelessness Act requires the VA to develop a comprehensive plan for ending
veterans homelessness, and the bill makes essential policy adjustments so that plan can be
fully implemented.
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