[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S6275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IMPROVING SERVICES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, yesterday I introduced legislation to 
improve services for homeless veterans, and prevent chronic 
homelessness amongst our returning servicemen and women in the war on 
terror. This bill will expand the housing and services available to our 
Nation's homeless veterans and their dependents, and improve the 
ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, to provide health 
care services to this same group of deserving Americans. I will take a 
few moments now to explain the provisions of this legislation.
  Public Law 107-95 was the last comprehensive homeless veterans 
assistance act signed into law. A number of the authorizations in that 
law, aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness amongst veterans, 
have expired or will expire this year. In March, I held a hearing on 
these needs, at which VA, its Federal partners, and community-based 
service providers to the homeless testified about what is working, what 
isn't, what duplication might be eliminated, and where deficiencies 
exist that must be addressed.
  At the hearing, we learned that this year alone, more than a half 
dozen Federal agencies will devote over $2 billion to homelessness. VA 
alone will spend upward of $221 million on grants, housing and 
treatment of underlying conditions. In fact, the budget the Senate 
passed included record-level funding for the sixth straight year for 
targeted programs for homeless veterans. These figures do not include 
the total costs of the law enforcement and emergency medical treatment 
for the homeless, which are astounding.
  Plainly stated, America's chronically homeless are some of the most 
expensive people in communities across this country, yet they live 
lives no one wants to imagine having. We must ensure that our resources 
are invested carefully so that homeless veterans can resume their self-
sufficiency and independence. I believe this bill will help us realize 
this shared goal.
  Among other things, this measure extends the authorization of 
appropriations for comprehensive services for homeless veterans, a 
grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, a technical 
assistance program, and extends the authority of the Advisory Committee 
on Homeless Veterans. It also extends the authority of the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to transfer properties obtained through foreclosures 
of Department home mortgages to certain organizations to assist 
homeless veterans and their families in acquiring shelter. The bill 
also includes the authorization of appropriations for a program 
designed to prevent homelessness by providing financial assistance to 
eligible entities to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive 
services for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent 
housing.
  I am pleased to introduce the Comprehensive Homeless Veterans 
Assistance and Prevention Act of 2006 along with my committee ranking 
member, Senator Akaka, as well as two committee members who have been 
particularly active on issues facing homeless veterans, Senators Burr 
and Obama.
  Over the coming days, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs will be 
taking up this bill and other legislation introduced to improve the 
range of services and benefits available to our Nation's veterans. I 
look forward to working with my colleagues throughout the rest of this 
Congress on these and other important efforts.




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