Bacon Votes Yes for Legal Aid Grant Program for Veterans

Press Release

Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) an original cosponsor of H.R. 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act, voted yes on the bipartisan legislation which will establish a grant program that will ease the path for homeless or at-risk veterans seeking legal aid assistance in the areas of housing, family law, income support, criminal defense, and military service discharges. The legislation will also set aside 10 percent of the funds for female veterans.

Providing legal aid to veterans will help to address homelessness because in 2016 the VA found that at least five of the top 10 issues that lead to their homelessness cannot be addressed without the assistance of legal aid. The study also found that most of these veterans had no problem securing housing, food and medical assistance but had difficulties when they faced eviction, renewed their driver's license, or upgraded their military discharge status.

"The grants provided by this legislation could very well make the difference as to whether a veteran will be able to sleep in a bed in his own place, or on a piece of cardboard on the streets," said Rep. Bacon. "As a member of the Armed Services Committee and a retired Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act is just one of the many steps we need to take to support the many men and women who fought to keep us safe. It's only right that we take care of them and keep our veterans safe by allowing them to receive the vital benefits, services, and treatment they rightfully deserve."

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