[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1507]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF HOMELESS FOR VETERANS

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                            HON. JANICE HAHN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 30, 2015

  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, across the country, too many victims of 
domestic violence feel that there is nowhere for them to turn. Lacking 
resources, help and a safe place to go, some victims stay with their 
abusers.
  Tragically, too often women veterans are among those who find 
themselves in this horrible situation. According to the VA, 39% of our 
women veterans report experiencing domestic violence, well above the 
national average.
  In order to qualify for benefits available to homeless veterans 
through the VA, an individual must meet the definition of ``homeless'' 
codified as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. In 
2009, the HEARTH Act expanded the definition of homeless to reflect our 
present reality and include individuals in transitional housing, 
persons living in motels and persons who would imminently lose their 
housing. A change was also made to the McKinney-Vento Act to expand the 
definition of homeless to include individuals fleeing a situation of 
domestic violence or some other life-threatening condition. This 
change, however, is not currently reflected in the definition of 
``homeless veteran.''
  These women are part of a growing number of homeless veterans. That 
is why I am reintroducing this legislation, which will correct and 
expand the definition of ``homeless veteran'' to include veterans who 
are fleeing situations of domestic violence. This small change will 
allow those veterans who find the courage and the means to leave their 
abusers the chance to access the benefits that should be available to 
all homeless veterans.
  By passing this bill, we will ensure that this especially vulnerable 
population of veterans has the chance to access benefits the Department 
of Veterans Affairs already provides. This bill is one small step to 
ensuring every homeless veteran can access the benefits they deserve.

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