Homeless Veterans

BILLINGS – The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee approved a proposal by Senator Jon Tester Thursday to create opportunities for homeless veterans throughout rural America.

Tester's plan requires at least 5% of federal grants to go to funding better housing facilities for homeless veterans and job training for them in rural areas.

Independence Hall in the Billings Heights, which provides shelter for homeless vets, said it could receive $150 million dollars per year through the measure.

Tester said he doesn't want to see veterans in rural America fall through the cracks, "Studies have shown 5% of most veterans reside in those areas and I just don't want them forgotten about."

Tester is also trying to get authorization for $10 million dollars to go toward another program focused on reintegrating female war veterans.