[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4] [House] [Pages 4512-4515] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS ACT OF 2010 Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4810) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the services provided for homeless veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4810 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010''. SEC. 2. INCREASE IN AMOUNT AUTHORIZED TO BE APPROPRIATED FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS. Section 2013 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``fiscal year 2007'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2010''; and (2) by striking ``$150,000,000'' and inserting ``$200,000,000''. SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF PAYMENTS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS. (a) Improvement of Payments.--Section 2012 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``per diem'' wherever it appears; (2) in subsection (a)(2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``daily cost of care'' and inserting ``annual cost of furnishing services''; and (ii) by striking the second sentence; (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new subparagraph (B): ``(B) The Secretary shall annually adjust the rate of payment under subparagraph (A) to reflect anticipated changes in the cost of furnishing services and to take into account the cost of providing services in a particular geographic area. The Secretary may set a maximum amount payable to a grant recipient under this section.''; (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``other sources of income'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``the cost of services provided by the grant recipient as the Secretary may require to assist the Secretary in making the determination under subparagraph (A)''; (D) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following new subparagraph (D): ``(D) In making the determination under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consider the availability of other sources of income, including payments to the grant recipient or eligible entity for furnishing services to homeless veterans under programs other than under this subchapter, payments or grants from other departments or agencies of the United States, from departments or agencies of State or local governments, or from private entities or organizations.''; and (E) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(E) The Secretary shall authorize payments under this subsection to each grant recipient on an annual basis but shall make a payment to each grant recipient for each calendar quarter in an amount equal to a portion of the annual amount authorized for such recipient. Upon the expiration of a calendar quarter, each grant recipient shall provide to the Secretary a statement of the amount spent by the recipient during that calendar quarter, and if the amount spent is less than the amount provided for that calendar quarter, repay to the Secretary the balance. If the amount spent by a grant recipient for such purpose for a calendar quarter exceeds the amount provided to the recipient for that quarter, the Secretary shall make an additional payment to the recipient in an amount equal to the amount by which the amount so spent exceeded the amount so provided, as long as the total amount provided to such recipient in a calendar year does not exceed the amount of the annual payment for that recipient.''; (3) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following new paragraph (3): ``(3) Payments under this subsection to a grant recipient or eligible entity may be used to match, or in combination with, other payments or grants for which the recipient or entity is eligible.''; and (4) in subsection (c)-- (A) by striking paragraph (2); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). (b) Clerical Amendments.-- (1) Section heading.--The section heading for such section is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 2012. Payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans''. (2) Subsection heading.--The heading for subsection (a) of such section is amended by striking ``Per Diem''. (3) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 2012 and inserting the following new item: ``2012. Payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans.''. SEC. 4. SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM OUTREACH. (a) In General.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end of subchapter III the following new section: ``Sec. 2024. Supported housing program outreach ``(a) Landlord Outreach.--(1) The Secretary shall ensure that each medical center of the Department that provides treatment and services under the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) employs or provides (through coordination with a public housing agency, homeless service provider, or other appropriate organization) one or more specialists, which may include peer specialists who were formerly homeless veterans, for handling housing issues in conjunction with the program under this subsection. ``(2) Such specialists shall conduct outreach to landlords to encourage and facilitate participation in the supportive housing program, mediate disputes between veterans receiving assistance under such program and landlords, establish and maintain a list of dwelling units available for rental with assistance under such program, and carry out other appropriate activities. ``(b) Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Assistance.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to homeless veterans in accessing the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for assistance for basic essentials, security deposits for rental dwelling units, and advance payments of the first month's rent for such units.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subchapter III the following new item: ``2024. Supported housing program outreach.''. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING. Section 2044(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: ``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. ``(E) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. ``(F) $100,000,000 for each subsequent fiscal year.''; and (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``each of the fiscal year 2009 through 2011'' and inserting ``each fiscal year''. SEC. 6. PROMOTION OF AWARENESS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROGRAMS TO ASSIST HOMELESS VETERANS AMONG HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN. Section 532 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after ``homeless veterans'' the following: ``(with a special emphasis on promoting awareness of such assistance among homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children)''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California. {time} 1415 Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this is the first of a series of six pieces of legislation that [[Page 4513]] will benefit our Nation's veterans. This Congress, and certainly this committee, has been concerned with these veterans in our daily work, and we are proud to present these items which will help prevent veterans' homelessness, protect National Guard employment, help veterans keep their home, give veterans a cost-of-living adjustment. Before I begin on this package, Madam Speaker, I just would like to briefly comment on a little item that came up yesterday during the debate on health care. One of our veterans service organizations and the ranking member of our committee claimed that the bill that we would pass would hurt veterans' health care. I just want to point out on behalf of all the Chairs on this side of the aisle, all the legal opinions that have been made, veterans' health care is not affected by the health care bill that we passed. All the benefits will be retained. Nobody will be penalized for being part of the veterans health care system or any other part of veterans health benefits. Congress actually received a letter yesterday from the Vietnam Veterans of America which said: ``It is unfortunate that some continue to raise what is now even more clearly a false alarm that is apparently meant to frighten veterans and their families in order to prompt them to oppose the pending legislation. While there is a legitimate debate as to whether or not the pending health care measure should become law, Vietnam Veterans of America does not appreciate spreading rumors that are not accurate by any political partisan from any point of the political spectrum.'' I just want to allay any fears that veterans have about this health care legislation. And certainly our committee, should anything arise that was unintended, we will move quickly to make sure that veterans health care is kept at a high quality and no one is penalized for having veterans health care in this country. So I want to point that out, Madam Speaker. Now, to get back to the bill we have, H.R. 4810, under consideration. Almost half the homeless on the street tonight, Madam Speaker, are veterans--anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000. This is a national disgrace. It is our national disgrace. It's been an issue that I have been working on since I came to Congress when I joined the Committee on Veterans' Affairs almost 18 years ago. Now that the Democrats have the majority, we want to put forward a plan, as our Secretary of Veterans' Affairs has announced, a plan to end veterans' homeless within 5 years. Zero tolerance. That's going to be our policy. Today we have the opportunity to take bold action to combat homelessness, but, as I said, we have a willing and eager administration to make sure that we achieve this goal. President Obama and his Secretary of Veterans' Affairs have, as I said, pledged to end homelessness over the next 5 years. Our Secretary has committed to expanding proven programs and launching innovative services to prevent veterans from falling into homelessness. This bill before us, H.R. 4810, does three important things to provide the administration with the necessary tools to combat homelessness: First, the bill would provide additional funding for the Grant and Per Diem Program, which provides grants to community agencies so they can, in turn, provide transitional housing, health services, and other supportive services to homeless veterans. Providing needed resources to the local agencies that care for our homeless veterans is just one way our grateful Nation can support the vital and compassionate work performed in communities all across the country. Second, this bill helps low-income veteran families who are occupying permanent housing from becoming homeless by extending powerful and effective support services. Examples of these services include outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining benefits from the VA, as well as public benefits from State and local agencies. Finally, H.R. 4810 helps the increasing number of female veterans who end up being homeless. This is especially magnified for our women veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, who are four times more likely to become homeless than their male counterparts. My bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to focus outreach efforts on homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. This powerful bill is the result of significant work by the entire committee. I would like to thank the chairman of our Subcommittee on Health, Mike Michaud from Maine, and Ranking Member Henry Brown from South Carolina for the bipartisan leadership they demonstrated on this bill. I'd also like to recognize the important contributions of our colleagues Harry Teague of New Mexico, Ciro Rodriguez of Texas, and Phil Hare of Illinois. Each of these Members are true advocates for homeless veterans and introduced legislation helping homeless veterans that are now key provisions of this bill. I'd also like to thank our staff from the Health Committee, especially our staff director, Cathy Wiblemo, who has worked so hard on this legislation for such a long time. There are hundreds of thousands of servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is our duty as a Nation, when we put our men and women in harm's way, to care for them when they return. We must also live up to the promise to honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans from previous conflicts. This is an opportunity today, Madam Speaker, to make a difference in the lives of veterans who are sleeping in cars, looking for public housing, searching for relief, and feeling helpless. I urge all of our colleagues to pass H.R. 4810 to provide the help and support that our homeless veterans need and deserve. I would reserve the balance of my time. Mr. STEARNS. I would say to the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Mr. Filner, he just did a 1-minute where he said, Let it go, let it go. So I'm a little surprised he's bringing up the health care bill and talking about it prior to these six wonderful bills we're going to pass on Veterans' Affairs. But since he brought it up, I think it's probably appropriate that I return with our side of this issue, because, as he pointed out, last night the House of Representatives passed the Senate bill, which was the government setting up exchanges-- which these exchanges include taxes, they include mandates and regulation, and it's phased in over a number of years to 2014. But there are some problems, frankly, with that bill. If there were no problems, then Ike Skelton, who's chairman of the Armed Services Committee, would not have brought it up 2 days ago, sort of furiously to try to get it in, because he voted against the health care bill. So the chairman of the Armed Services Committee voted against the Senate health care bill last night. The day before that, he brought up the idea that we have to protect DoD veterans who are on TRICARE. That's probably one of the flaws in the bill that's being sent to the President. It has some serious ramifications for our military and dependents under TRICARE, Madam Speaker, for veterans' widows, orphans, and for children suffering from spina bifida as a result of a parent's exposure to Agent Orange during the wars in Korea and Vietnam. As deputy ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I joined with Ranking Member Steve Buyer, of our committee, and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Buck McKeon to introduce H.R. 4894 to protect the Department of Defense and the VA beneficiaries. So I'm a little surprised that the Democrat leadership didn't take up our bill. Instead, they passed a more limited bill introduced by, as I mentioned, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, which, after reading it, provides limited protection for TRICARE beneficiaries but not the DOD and VA health care systems and the VA health care benefits. Moreover, I was also surprised to learn from the Congressional Budget Office there could be a cost associated with our bill, the $4.4 billion, so-called, for the cost of our bill. I'm an original cosponsor. [[Page 4514]] So what are the implications for these beneficiaries? Simply, it means that the government takeover of health care could result in a savings of $4.4 billion made on the backs of servicemembers, widows, and orphans, and children suffering from spina bifida as a result of a parent's exposure to Agent Orange. I don't think the public realizes that. So I think it's important to get this information out, and I'm hopeful that we can solve this problem. Over the weekend, there were a lot of claims made that there is no problem for TRICARE and VA health care beneficiaries under the Senate health care bill that was passed by the Democrats yesterday. Well, frankly, there is, and it's a big problem. As I mentioned earlier, Madam Speaker, if it wasn't a problem, then Ike Skelton, the Armed Services Committee chairman, would not have been here 2 days ago trying to offer a scaled-down bill to correct the problem. He would not have taken his own bill, H.R. 4887, to the floor in a quick effort to solve this issue. So it's important to reiterate that this bill does not protect the DOD and VA health care systems. It doesn't fully address TRICARE either, as a result of the CBO score of H.R. 4887. The Ike Skelton bill does not stop $4.5 billion from being cut from TRICARE, but we think ours will. The veterans service organizations know what is happening. The American Legion, the VFW, DAV, and the National Association of Uniformed Services have all supported our bill, H.R. 4894, which they believe will protect veterans. So, Madam Speaker, I hope that the House Democrat leadership will see fit to act as soon as possible to allay the fears of all these veteran service organizations as soon as possible to correct the measure with H.R. 4894, to stop these cuts and to protect the individuals and their families who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our Nation and, I might add, to allay the fears of men at war who think when they come back they will retire or possibly be under Champus/VA. With those comments, let me then move to the bill that we're considering. I rise in support of H.R. 4810, End Veteran Homeless Act of 2010. Now, my colleagues, this bill would amend Title 38 of the United States Code to make certain improvements in the services provided for homeless veterans. This important legislation represents a combination of a number of bills that moved through the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and I believe truly exemplifies the manner in which our committee can and does work together in a bipartisan fashion to bring forth legislation that improves the lives of our veterans. It is with a deep and personal commitment that I and everybody else on the Veterans' Affairs Committee embrace and aggressively want to tackle the challenge of homelessness and veterans and forward our mutual goals of ending this chronic problem among our veterans. Since the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act back in 2001, which significantly expanded the VA's homeless program, we've seen a significant number of previously homeless veterans returning to leading productive and sober lives. H.R. 4810 continues that proactive approach by permanently extending a VA program that provides grants to entities that help low-income families that are homeless, transitioning to permanent housing, or already in permanent housing; increasing the annual amounts authorized for VA's Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program from $150 million to $200 million; and encouraging the VA to expand its promotion for homeless veterans to include programs for homeless veterans that are female or that have children. VA's latest estimate indicates that about 107,000 veterans were homeless on any one given night last year. With the unemployment rate for veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom aged 18 to 24 standing at a staggering 21.1 percent, more simply must be done to ensure that our veterans come home not to joblessness and homelessness, but to supportive communities and meaningful employment. {time} 1430 I recently had the pleasure of participating in the grand opening of the new HONOR--Hope, Opportunities, Networking, Outreach, and Recovery--Center in my congressional district in Gainesville, Florida. This newly renovated comprehensive VA homeless center includes a 45-bed domiciliary to care for disabled and homeless veterans with special medical needs. The HONOR Center will also have program offices for outreach, grant and per diem, and other essential services, including a special area that's designated just for women. The HONOR Center will provide a full continuum of care and a homelike environment and will provide homeless veterans with family-style dining and special recreation areas including a nice library with a meditation room and a full-time recreational therapist. The HONOR Center has been in development for nearly 3 years, and I was very pleased and proud to see such a wonderful resource for homeless veterans open in my congressional district in Gainesville, Florida. So, Madam Speaker, H.R. 4810, the End Veteran Homeless Act, is one important step in achieving our goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans. But still, my colleagues, it is only one step. While I support its passage, I look forward to continuing to work hard in the future to make sure America's veterans are welcomed back from service with open arms, good jobs, and happy and healthy homes. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I would like to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer, who unfortunately couldn't be here this morning, of the Veterans' Affairs Committee as well as Chairman Michaud and Ranking Member Brown of the Subcommittee on Health for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4810 and do their part to ensure that not a single one of the brave men and women who fight in uniform to defend our rights come home to a life without a job and a home. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, a famous President once said: ``We have nothing to fear but fear itself.'' The deputy ranking member--I didn't know we had such a title--is spreading fear, and I would just like to make it clear to every veteran, every family of veterans, and all Americans, there will be no reduction of any benefits of any veteran in the veterans health care system. There will be no taxes. There will be no diminution of services. Let's just make that clear. General Leave Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4810. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4810, the End Veteran Homelessness Act. I want to thank Chairman Filner for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, on any given night this year, over 100,000 veterans are sleeping on the streets. And this year alone, 300,000 veterans will experience homelessness. Additionally, there has been an alarming increase in the number of female homeless veterans over the last decade. Madam Speaker, addressing the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans National Conference, Secretary Shinseki said, ``We have a moral duty to prevent and eliminate homelessness among Veterans.'' I could not agree more and I applaud the Secretary for his commitment to end veterans homelessness in the next 5 years. Madam Speaker, we have seen how using the media to educate veterans about available services has been extremely effective, and in order to meet this goal, the Veterans Affairs Department should immediately begin conducting media outreach to connect homeless veterans to available programs, services and benefits. That is why I introduced the Help our Homeless Veterans Act. My bill would direct the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a national media campaign to raise awareness about programs and services [[Page 4515]] available to homeless veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Filner for including my bill into H.R. 4810 and acknowledge the special attention the committee has made to promote awareness of such assistance available to homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Madam Speaker, with increased awareness about programs to assist homeless veterans, we can end veterans homelessness by 2014. No veteran should experience homelessness, and this bill ensures our nation's heroes know where to turn to for help. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4810. Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 4810, ``End Veterans Homelessness Act of 2010'' introduced by my distinguished colleague from California, Representative Filner. H. Res. 4810 will amend Title 38 of the United States Code, in order to make certain improvements in the services rendered to homeless veterans under the laws that are administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Improvements in services rendered to homeless veterans will include increases in the amount authorized to be appropriated for comprehensive programs, adjusted payments for providing various services such as furnishing services to homeless veterans, supported housing program outreach, financial assistance for low-income families, and the promotion of awareness of available Department of Veterans Affairs programs. Throughout our country's history, our brave men and women in uniform have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom around the world, and I am proud to support legislation that will aid our nation's veterans. I have worked tirelessly to pass legislation that will give our veterans the benefits that they need and deserve. I have supported legislation, such as H. Res. 6081, ``The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax of 2008'', H. Res. 1054, ``Honoring the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans'', H. Res. 2790, ``To establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health as amended'', and H. Res. 3480, ``Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act of 2008'' to support our veterans. My fellow Americans, we must remember that it is because of them that we are able to continue to be a democratic nation. All Americans must realize that we owe our liberty to those veterans who have served their nation 110% without fear. They definitely deserve our assistance and support in every way possible. I have always and will continue to fight for legislation that protects our veterans. I really find it unacceptable that an estimated 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night after honorably serving their country. We are doing our veterans a great disservice. We owe our veterans the utmost respect, appreciation, and definitely a home to come home to after serving as a member of our armed forces. In these challenging economic times, we must do more to provide for our veterans' basic needs. H. Res. 4810 shows that all Americans take pride in our veterans' service to this nation, and just as the military doesn't believe in leaving a soldier behind on the battlefield, I believe that I speak for all Americans that we don't believe in leaving our veterans behind . . . we must help them push forward! Strengthening comprehensive programs by investing in our veterans, requiring housing counselors to grant more housing opportunities at each Veteran Affairs center, and paying attention to homeless women veterans and veterans with children is the right thing to do. I would like to urge my colleagues to support this powerful piece of legislation for our veterans that proudly support our freedoms and defend our U.S. Constitution. Again, I would like to commend all of our soldiers for their unselfish service and devotion to the welfare of others. Mr. FILNER. I urge my colleagues to unanimously support the bill. I have no further requests for time and yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4810. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________