Tester Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Homeless Veterans

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today introduced the bipartisan Homeless Veterans Prevention Act. This legislation would build on existing homeless veterans programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by investing in established programs that are proven to be effective and removing any residual barriers to housing for veterans.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure that veterans facing homelessness have the resources they need to get back on their feet,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This bipartisan bill makes sure that these veterans have access to health care, legal services and a safe and warm place to call home.”

The Homeless Veterans Prevention Act would:

• Keep veteran families together by allowing the VA to house the children of homeless veterans in transitional housing programs.
• Require the VA to enter into partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
• Give the VA the authority to provide dental care to homeless veterans.
• Extend and increase the amount of money available for supportive services to very low-income veteran families in permanent housing.

This bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). You can access the text of the bill HERE.