Portman, Warren, Durbin, Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Ensure Quality of Care for America's Homeless Veterans

Press Release

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing needed care for veterans experiencing homelessness. This legislation follows a May 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which found shortcomings in VA's Veterans Health Administration (VHA), whose Homeless Program Office administers programs to support veterans experiencing homelessness in collaboration local partners and other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In a May 2020 report, GAO found shortcomings in VHA's communication with VA medical centers, service providers, and local partners regarding the delivery of services for veterans experiencing homelessness, in collaboration with local "Coordinated Entry" systems. In April 2020 technical comments, VA concurred with all of the GAO recommendations and provided a target completion date of May 2021. However, there is no indication that VA has executed the recommendations. The Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act will ensure VA implements these needed changes.

"Sadly, about 37,000 veterans were homeless in the United States during 2019," said Portman. "We owe these brave men and women a debt of gratitude and so we must all work harder to ensure they receive the quality of care they deserve. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure the VA acts on the recommendations of the May 2020 GAO report to improve communication within the network of care for our homeless veterans and urge my colleagues to support it."

"Our servicemembers and veterans make enormous sacrifices to serve our country - yet too many across the United States are still experiencing homelessness. I'm glad to introduce the Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act to help address veteran homelessness and ensure that our servicemembers and veterans receive the resources they have earned and deserve," said Senator Warren.

"I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act. In 2019, about 37,000 veterans in the United States experienced homelessness. Passing this bill will ensure that the VA implements much needed changes and provides services for veterans experiencing homelessness, including those in Illinois. Our nation's veterans swore to protect and defend us and now it is time for us to do the same for them," said Senator Durbin.

"Ending homelessness for our veterans must be a national priority. We must ensure the VA is using every tool available to serve our veterans. This legislation will improve outreach and enable the VA to better meet their needs. We must measure our support for veterans not through our words, but our deeds. Let's get this done," said Senator Van Hollen.

"The Fleet Reserve Association supports The Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021. This bill is a positive step forward in increasing the efforts to address veteran homelessness. An estimated 37,000 veterans in the United States experienced homelessness in 2019, the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our country should never end up on our streets," said Noelle Huffer, Assistant Director of Veterans Programs at The Fleet Reserve Association.

"To effectively combat veterans homelessness, VA must harmonize its use of all of the individual programs at its disposal. Passage of the Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act, which would streamline veteran homelessness assistance through the Coordinated Entry Program, will help get important resources to these individuals sooner," said Heather Ansley, Esq., MSW, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The American Legion has also expressed their support for this legislation. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), David Joyce (D-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Brian Kirkpatrick (R-PA).

The text of the bill can be found by clicking here.