California is home to the largest veteran population in the nation - nearly 1.8 million veterans - according to the Department of Housing and Community Development.  Tonight almost 15,000 California veterans, representing nearly 26 percent of the nation’s homeless veterans, will be searching for a warm place to sleep where they are safe.   

The Department of Veteran Administration research shows that military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans.  Homeless veterans are a significant concern across the nation according to the 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.  On one single night, there were 57,849 veterans that were searching for a secure place to lay their head.  Veterans who are homeless account for just over 16 percent of all homeless adults even though veterans consist of about 8 percent of the U.S. population. 

The Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 (S. 287) is currently in the United States House of Representatives after unanimously passage by the Senate on November 6, 2013.  It was introduced by Senator Mark Begich (AK), has five co-sponsors and directs improvements in several areas of homeless veteran issues.  The bill expands the definition of homeless veteran, improves the Veteran Administration grant and per diem program, expands eligibility for the homeless veteran dental program and establishes partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal services.   

Since 2009, there has been a 17% decline of veteran homelessness but there are still more than 62,000 veterans homeless in our country, including over 10,000 post 9-11 Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.  Veterans are overrepresented within the homeless population in 37 states.  More female homeless veterans, some with dependent children, are on the streets than any other time in history. 

President Obama and the Veterans Administration made a strong commitment to end veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.  The Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 will address several critical gaps in services provided to homeless veterans and those at risk.  On November 18, 2013, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Health but no action has been taken since then.  This is unacceptable considering the current focus on our veterans.

Thousands of veterans, not only in California but across our nation, are affected by this legislation.  The men and women who have worn the uniform and protected our freedoms deserve better.  You can track the progress of this bill at: www.congress.gov.  Contact your senator to voice your opinion and show our veterans we honor their service by giving them a place to call home. 


In Community Service,
Andrea Summerlin