Sires Votes to Expand Veteran’s Housing Assistance

For Immediate Release                                                           Contact: Erica Daughtrey

March 27, 2012                                                                       201-222-2828

Sires Votes to Expand Veteran’s Housing Assistance

Washington, DC-- Today, Congressman Sires voted in favor of legislation to expand veteran’s housing opportunities. H.R. 3298, the Homes for Heroes Act would create a special assistant for Veterans Affairs within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bill passed the House by a vote of 414 to 5.

“At a time when our veterans are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the federal government must do everything it can to help those who have sacrificed for their country” said Congressman Sires.

The Homes for Heroes Act would expand education and training programs that help our returning veterans find housing.  It would also establish the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD to serve as a liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, as well as state and local officials, and nonprofit service organizations. Additionally, HUD would be required to submit a comprehensive annual report to Congress on the housing needs of homeless veterans and the steps HUD has taken under the programs provided for in the bill.

“The Homes for Heroes Act is an important step towards helping our men and women in uniform transition to life after service. I am proud to have supported this legislation which honors those who have given so much to his country” said Sires.

H.R. 3298 is now under review in the Senate.

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