[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1860-E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF HOMELESS VETERANS OUTREACH CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF BY THE 
                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 13, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to be here today to join 
the local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as they announce the 
launching of their Homeless Veterans Outreach Campaign.
  According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, there are 
between 130,000-200,000 homeless veterans on any given night. That 
means that homeless veterans constitute nearly one-fourth to one-fifth 
of the total homeless population. There is an increasing number of 
female homeless veterans. Studies have demonstrated that women who 
served in the military are more likely than their non-serving 
counterparts to experience homelessness in their lifetime. It is clear 
that we must do more to prevent and address homelessness in the 
veteran's community.
  Current members of our armed services have been asked to endure 
multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, increasing the likelihood that 
they will experience significant levels of stress and Post-Traumatic 
Stress Disorder. The stresses of deployment and low-levels of social 
support when they return home are just some of the factors that can 
lead to homelessness. With high levels of unemployment, foreclosures, 
and continued economic hardship across the country and in the State of 
Ohio, it is harder than ever for returning veterans to reintegrate 
post-service.
  That is why the outreach campaign by the VA to increase awareness of 
services available to veterans who are homeless or are at risk of 
becoming homeless is so important. Veterans need to know that they have 
the support they need when they return from a tour abroad.
  Homelessness can be ended. It can be ended by ensuring that there are 
decent jobs that provide a living wage, access to health care and 
affordable housing and adequate support for those who can no longer 
work.
  I am committed to ensuring that the VA has the resources it needs to 
provide returning veterans with the care they need and to expand their 
services to eradicate homelessness among veterans.

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