Congressman Al Green’s Homes for Heroes Act of 2015 Overwhelmingly Passes the House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 15, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, by a vote of 412 to 1, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 251, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2015, which aims to prevent low-income veterans and their families from becoming homeless. This legislation specifically establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs and requires an annual report on veterans’ homelessness be submitted to Congress. The Special Assistant would also help coordinate HUD’s programs and activities relating to veterans and serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Congressman Al Green (TX-09) introduced the Homes for Heroes Act in January 2015 and it has 26 cosponsors.

“Today the House of Representatives took a critical step toward the Homes for Heroes Act of 2015 becoming the law of the land,” Congressman Al Green said. “The Homes for Heroes Act of 2015 seeks to address the coordination of services for homeless veterans as well as requires annual assessments that will help prevent low-income veterans from falling into homelessness.”

According to the National Coalition for Homelessness, on any given night in the United States 49,933 veterans experience homelessness and approximately 12 percent of the homeless adult population are veterans. Additionally, 51 percent of homeless veterans are disabled.

“Homelessness among our veterans should be unconscionable for a nation that has benefitted so much from their selfless service in our defense,” Congressman Al Green said.” Just as we would not literally leave our service people behind, we must not leave them and their families behind after their service has ended.”

A link to Congressman Al Green’s floor speech about H.R. 251, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2015.