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Klobuchar’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Homeless Veterans Signed Into Law

Legislation strengthens program that provides housing and case management services to homeless veterans

August 6, 2012

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that her bipartisan legislation to help fight homelessness among America’s veterans was signed into law today.  Klobuchar obtained 18 Democratic and Republican cosponsors for the bill in the Senate. The legislation improves homeless services outreach to rural and underserved urban veterans.  Specifically, it strengthens an existing program that provides chronically homeless veterans with housing vouchers and case management services, such as help accessing counseling and job training. A 2009 survey of homelessness by Wilder Research found the number of homeless veterans in Minnesota at an all-time high.According to figures released by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, approximately 14 percent of all homeless adults are veterans.

“When we ask our men and women to fight and sacrifice in defense of our nation, we make a promise that we’re going to give them the support they need when they come home,” Klobuchar said. “This critical bill is now the law of the land and will extend essential services to homeless veterans who are currently living on the streets or in shelters.”

“Senator Klobuchar’s dedicated attention to the needs of Minnesota’s veterans has been vital to ensuring they receive the support and opportunities they deserve,”said Kathleen Vitalis, President and CEO of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans.  “Her particular focus on supporting homeless veterans – especially underserved rural veterans – has been critical, and I want to thank Senator Klobuchar for her hard work to see this great bill signed into law.”

The 2009 Wilder Research survey found that nearly 700 individuals in Minnesota who previously served in the U.S. military were homeless on any given night.  Minnesota saw its number of homeless veterans increase by seven percent from 2006 to 2009 and the number of homeless women veterans more than doubled.

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) made a commitment to end veteran homelessness by 2015.  Klobuchar’s provision helps the VA reach that goal by extending services to rural and underserved urban veterans.  The legislation strengthens the existing HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to authorize and encourage the VA to partner with eligible state and local governments, tribal organizations, and community-based service providers to provide homeless veterans with access to HUD-VASH housing vouchers and case management services. The bill also requires the VA to consult with community providers to ensure all needy veterans are served.

The legislation is endorsed by 27 veterans and social service organizations. They include:

•              Veterans of Foreign Wars

•              American Legion

•              Disabled Veterans of America

•              Paralyzed Veterans of America

•              Vietnam Veterans of America

•              Military Officers Association of America

•              National Association of County Veterans Service Officers

•              Veterans of Modern Warfare

•              VetsFirst (a program of United Spinal Association)

•              Student Veterans of America

•              National Guard Association

•              Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV)

•              Heading Home Minnesota

•              National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

•              National Alliance to End Homelessness

•              Corporation for Supportive Housing

•              National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty

•              Common Ground

•              National Leased Housing Association

•              Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities

•              Easter Seals

•              Mental Health America

•              National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors

•              National Association of State Head Injury Administrators

•              National Council on Independent Living

•              National Disability Rights Network

•              NISH

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