Delgado Votes to Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Address Veteran Homelessness

WASHINGTON, DC—Last night, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) joined a broad bipartisan coalition in voting to pass the Veteran HOUSE Act of 2020 to expand eligibility for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, which provides HUD housing vouchers to homeless veterans. The bill would also require an annual report to Congress on homelessness services provided to veterans. 

“No man or woman who sacrificed on behalf of our nation should experience homelessness. Last night, I joined my colleagues in passing the Veteran HOUSE Act, which would expand critical Veterans’ housing and allow more upstate veterans the opportunity to access housing and care they need,” said Delgado. “This legislation also requires an annual report on homelessness services provided to veterans to give us a better idea of how folks are using programs currently available and allow the VA to fill in gaps in service. Transparency in this process is key to better assisting our veterans and ensuring no person who has served our is forced to live without a roof over their head.”

It is estimated that there are 40,000 veterans experience homelessness and even more are at risk of becoming homeless. The HUD-VASH program provides these veterans with rental assistance vouchers and other targeted services to help them secure permanent housing. Currently, eligibility for the program is limited to veterans with two or more years of service. The Veteran HOUSE Act of 2020 expands program eligibility to include individuals who have served in the military for any length of time, except for those that have been dishonorably discharged. The bipartisan legislation also requires an annual report to Congress on homelessness services provided to veterans.