Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 965, the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act sponsored by Representative Sherman. I thank Mr. Sherman for his work on this bipartisan bill which ensure homeless veterans, including those who may have higher incomes due to their disability benefits, can access supportive housing through the HUD-VASH program.

However, an important distinction in this bill will expand access to housing for more disabled veterans who are experiencing homelessness, while preserving limited rental assistance for those with the lowest incomes.

I also want to take this opportunity to talk about the importance of preserving the HUD-VASH program as the Trump administration threatens to trample on Congress' constitutional powers of the purse by freezing Federal funds that have already been designed and designated for the American people.

HUD-VASH is arguably the most successful Federal homeless program to date. In fact, under the Biden administration, Democrats were successful in lowering veteran homelessness to its lowest level ever on record. That is what we can get done when we prioritize housing for people, not profit.

HUD-VASH is the only Federal program that is built to end veteran homelessness through the Housing First approach, which Republicans have time and time again tried to discredit. Housing First works because it solves the root of the homelessness crisis, which is a lack of affordable housing.

Specifically, the program ensures people who are experiencing homelessness can first get off the street and into stable housing where they are then supported with wraparound services, such as case management, job training, healthcare services, and more. If Housing First works to help end veteran homelessness, it can work for everyone else, too.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and look forward to a more bipartisan effort to scale up proven Housing First solutions to end homelessness nationwide.

I would again thank Congressman Sherman for working across the aisle, in particular with Representative De La Cruz from Texas on her companion bill, to make sure our Nation's HUD-VASH program works as effectively as possible.

This bill is a step forward in ensuring that every veteran who is experiencing homelessness can access the supportive housing they need, facilitating their successful reintegration into civilian life.

This is especially true for disabled veterans who experience unique barriers to housing that is inaccessible and increasingly unaffordable.

With this bill, we can assure and ensure disabled veterans have the resources they need to lead stable, fulfilling lives after their invaluable service to our Nation.

Again, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source