NEW REPORT ON WIDESPREAD VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2007

CONTACTS:Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744

NEW REPORT ON WIDESPREAD VETERAN HOMELESSNESS ADDS TO NEED FOR VETERANS HOUSING LEGISLATION, SAYS SEN. MENENDEZ

Menendez a lead co-sponsor of “Homes for Heroes Act”

25% of nation’s homeless are vets, including 34% of New Jersey ’s homeless


WASHINGTON – Today, the National Alliance to End Homelessness released a report showing that about one in four homeless people in this country are veterans – approximately 196,000 of the approximately 745,000 who were homeless on any given night in 2006. That includes an estimated 6,500 New Jersey homeless veterans, which would equal almost 34 percent of the estimated 19,385 homeless people in New Jersey .

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez said today that the alarming report is further reason to pass legislation aimed at ensuring that veterans have housing. He is a lead co-sponsor of the Homes for Heroes Act, introduced this year by Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL).

“The rate at which our veterans are finding themselves without a roof over their heads is a moral outrage,” said Sen. Menendez. “These people put their lives on the line every day for our country, no questions asked. And what have they gotten in return? A life of struggle and hardship. A grateful nation would not stand to see so many of its veterans without one of the most basic human needs: shelter. And the problem is growing worse by the day as Iraq and Afghanistan veterans return ‘home’ without the benefit of even a roof over their heads. It is shameful that our men and women in uniform would be sent to patrol the streets of Baghdad , only to have them come back to sleep on the streets of their home towns.

“This report should be a red alert to anyone who had overlooked this troubling issue. And it is yet another reason that we must pass the Homes for Heroes Act. I will continue to stand up for our veterans with my colleagues as we work to pass this critical bill.”

The Homes for Heroes Act would:Establish permanent housing and services for low-income Veterans and their families; Expand rental assistance; Focus government resources on homeless Veterans; Exclude Veterans benefits as criteria for rent considerations; and Assist housing and service providers.

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