Lawmakers push bipartisan bill to help homeless veterans

WASHINGTON D.C. — As the nation honors those who have served on this Veterans Day, there are still tens of thousands of veterans without a home tonight.

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Members of Congress are pushing a bipartisan proposal meant to provide more housing for homeless veterans.

The “Return Home to Housing Act” in the House would increase the amount of money the Department of Veterans Affairs gives to service providers who give transitional housing to vets in need of a home.

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There are 11 lawmakers in total who have co-sponsored the bill in the House, including four Republicans and seven Democrats.

“We are doubling the amount of funding for temporary housing for veterans so that we can get our veterans the support that they need,” said Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), an original co-sponsor of the bill. “When you’re talking about veterans getting the care that they need after they have bravely served our country, this isn’t a partisan issue.”

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“Veterans who served their country should never have to contend with homelessness,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), an original co-sponsor of the bill, in a statement. “Through greater awareness, support, and targeted investments, we can end this scourge.”

The bill is moving along in the House, but there is not currently a version of it in the Senate.

“We’re looking forward to getting it across the finish line,” said Williams.

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