Portman, Warren Praise Committee Passage of Veteran Homelessness Bill by Veterans Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) praise passage of their Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act, legislation to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adequately serves veterans experiencing homelessness, which unanimously passed out of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. This legislation follows a May 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which found shortcomings in how VA's Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Homeless Programs Office administers programs to support veterans experiencing homelessness in collaboration with local partners and other federal agencies.

In a May 2020 report, GAO found deficiencies in VHA's communication with VA medical centers, service providers, and local partners regarding the delivery of services for veterans experiencing homelessness. The remedial actions VA has taken in response to the GAO's recommendations fall short of fully addressing these concerns. The Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act will ensure that VA comprehensively and effectively corrects these issues.

"Too many of our veterans face homelessness in this country. We owe these brave men and women a debt of gratitude, and so we must work harder to ensure they receive the quality of care they deserve," said Portman. "I am pleased this bipartisan legislation to ensure VA acts on the recommendations of the May 2020 GAO report to improve services for homeless veterans has passed committee, and I urge my colleagues to support it when it comes to the floor."

"I am so glad to see the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee pass the Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act, getting us one big step closer to full Senate passage," said Warren. "This important bill will help address veteran homelessness and ensure that our servicemembers and veterans receive the resources they have earned and deserve."

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