Bob Filner: “Madam Speaker, homelessness among our Nation's veterans continues to be a significant and troubling problem across the…”

“Madam Speaker, homelessness among our Nation's veterans continues to be a significant and troubling problem across the country. Informal surveys indicate that up to 275,000 former members of our Armed Forces sleep on America's streets or in homeless shelters every night. H.R. 2206, as has been described, provides for the extension and improvement of programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs which have assisted thousands of these men and women. I am proud to say that my city of San Diego was one of the first to reach out to its homeless veterans, originating the creative program of 'Stand Down.' Also, the Vietnam vets of San Diego run an incredibly effective housing program. But no city has the resources to address the crisis without Federal assistance and cooperation. The programs which are being extended under H.R. 2206 will enable the good and caring citizens of San Diego and every other American city to continue to provide shelter, transitional housing and other support critical to the survival and rehabilitation of homeless veterans.”