×
×
homepage logo
LOGIN
SUBSCRIBE

Pappas and Mann introduce the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act

By Staff | Apr 14, 2021

Democrat Chris Pappas celebrates winning the New Hampshire U.S. House District One Congressional race at an election party in Manchester, N.H. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/ Cheryl Senter)

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), who serves as the Chair of Oversight and Investigations on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Tracey Mann (KS-01) introduced the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act. This bill aims to increase the number of affordable housing options to help reduce the recent uptick in veteran homelessness.

“We have made significant strides in combating veteran homelessness, but the fact that more than 37,000 veterans are still experiencing housing insecurity is simply unacceptable,” said Congressman Pappas. “The Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act takes critical steps to expand access to affordable housing in high cost areas by allowing the VA to sell or lease homes that have been acquired through foreclosure to our veterans. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Mann and will continue to work with my colleagues and the VA until all those who served our nation have a safe place to call home.”

“Our job on the Veterans Affairs Committee is to ensure we are taking care of, and doing right by our veterans,” said Congressman Mann. “I am pleased to lead The Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act with Congressman Pappas, which reauthorizes a program to curb veteran homelessness. By allowing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to sell, lease, rent, or donate a home acquired by the Department, we create more options for veterans and affordable solutions for our nation’s heroes.”

This legislation would reauthorize and amend a program to allow the Secretary of VA to sell, lease, rent, or donate a home which was acquired by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through a defaulted on their VA-guaranteed home loan to a public housing authority, Grant and Per Diem provider, or a Supportive Services for Veterans Families service provider.

The public housing authority or providers could then use these homes to shelter veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. By allowing VA to sell, lease, rent, or donate these empty homes to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, the number of affordable housing options in higher cost areas increases and can reduce homelessness.

This legislation would build upon the historic investments made by the American Rescue Plan to address veteran homelessness and unemployment.

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

Interests
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *