Alex Padilla: “I rise to speak in support of the bipartisan Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, which I introduced today. Let me…”

“I rise to speak in support of the bipartisan Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, which I introduced today. Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for veterans and members of our Armed Forces who have answered the call of duty and sacrificed for our Nation. I firmly believe that those who serve our country with honor, courage, and distinction deserve our Nation's enduring gratitude. That is why I have always been committed to supporting all those who have fought for our Nation's freedom. Currently, many disabled veterans are unable to access housing programs for veterans because of how income is defined. The more severe a disability is, the more disability benefits a veteran receives. Yet, because of the way total income has historically been determined, this means that veterans receiving the highest amount of disability benefits often cannot access the housing assistance they need. Congress must ensure that every veteran has access to stable housing. While progress has been made in reducing veteran homelessness, there is still more that we must do. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort between Federal, State, and local agencies and strong partnerships with nonprofit veteran service organizations and community leaders. We must do our part to remove redtape and make it easier for veterans to be housed. I remain committed to supporting policies that expand and increase access to VA homelessness programs for veterans in need.…”