Congressman Al Green’s Homes For Heroes Act of 2013 Passes the House Of Representatives

Washington, DC – May 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Al Green’s (TX-09) bill, H.R. 384, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2013 by a bipartisan vote of 420 to 3. This bill aims to help prevent low-income veteran families from falling into homelessness as well as provide relief for those currently homeless. This bill does this by moving the Special Assistant for Veterans’ Affairs into the Office of the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as a matter of law not discretion.

Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, introduced the Homes for Heroes Act of 2013 with Mike Michaud (ME-02), Ranking Member of Veterans’ Affairs Committee, on January 23, 2013.

“Today, the House of Representatives took a critical step in honoring our brave military men and women by passing this important legislation,” Congressman Al Green said. “Those who put their lives on the line to defend this great nation deserve our unyielding dedication and utmost appreciation.”

This bill specifically requires an annual report on veterans’ homelessness to 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).

The VA estimates that our nation has 22.2 million veterans. Of this number, 4.3 million are homeowners who have disabilities and 2.7 million are elderly veterans. Many disabled veterans face disproportionate housing costs, and are either at risk of becoming homeless, or are already experiencing homelessness.

“The Homes for Heroes Act of 2013 will ensure the long-term coordination of services for homeless veterans and require annual assessments that will help prevent low-income veterans from falling into homelessness,” Congressman Al Green said. “Homelessness among our veterans is a preventable condition that we must address, such that we leave no veteran behind.”

Link to floor proceedings on H.R. 384: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uDMDw_DQWY&feature=youtu.be