Legislation to Aid Homeless Veterans Includes Shays Provision

Press Release

Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) voted in support of H.R. 3329, the Homes for Heroes Act, when it passed the House today by a vote of 412 to 9.

During Financial Services Committee consideration of H.R. 3329, Shays won inclusion of language to ensure veterans' families cannot lose their housing assistance due to the death of the veteran.

"According to a recent study of Census and Veterans Administration records by the Alliance to End Homelessness, the number of homeless veterans has grown to nearly one out of four, even though veterans comprise only 11 percent of the general adult population," stated Shays. "This is a growing crisis which Congress needs to address. I am grateful the House passed this legislation to address these concerns."

H.R. 3329, of which Shays is a cosponsor, provides for $200 million in housing assistance to expand the supply of permanent affordable housing for very low income veteran families, creates 20,000 new section 8 vouchers for rental assistance and establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in HUD to coordinate these services.

On November 8, 2007, Shays wrote Chairwoman Maxine Waters expressing his concern about the growing rate of homeless veterans and requesting a hearing on the subject.

A hearing entitled "Affordable Housing Needs for America's Low Income Veterans" was subsequently held on December 5, 2007.

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