Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Sign up for the Impact Today

house Bill H.R. 474

Extending the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program

Argument in favor

This program offers homeless and vulnerable veterans vital services for finding jobs and housing. We owe it to our service members to fund and support these programs.

Tony's Opinion
···
05/18/2015
Our veterans have suffered enough. The VA has sometimes failed them and many may have undiagnosed PTSD or other maladies. With the homeless and suicidal rates of veterans far exceeding the national average we should provide more care rather than less. They may need help reintegrating into society.
Like (25)
Follow
Share
Tylersmith's Opinion
···
05/02/2016
After all they have done for us, it is the least we can do to help serve them back in the ways we can. Veterans are mistreated very bad in our country right now and it is time that we stop and make a change.
Like (11)
Follow
Share
Will.i.am45's Opinion
···
05/18/2015
Veterans deserve to have the services available to be able to find jobs. They sacrificed for our freedom, its the least we could do.
Like (9)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

Extending this program through 2020 is a little too much — a shorter reauthorization would give Congress more time to assess its effectiveness and make changes.

Tony's Opinion
···
05/20/2015
We owe our vets a debt of gratitude that most of us can't even comprehend, let alone pay. That said, giving faceless bureaucrats an open checkbook for the next five years doesn't seem like a wise plan. Determine the most effective strategy, then come back with a written plan and a budget.
Like (8)
Follow
Share
lcynicl's Opinion
···
05/18/2015
Let's do something that works rather than just throwing money.
Like (5)
Follow
Share
Rick's Opinion
···
06/03/2015
I am a veteran and have been homeless. Veterans, homeless shelters are over crowded. Programming for veterans inpatient has been cut from 90 days to 45. Most veterans repeat the program 2-3 times because it's not long enough, staffed adequately, or addressing the various sensitive needs veterans have. Unless you have been at a VA, words can't truly describe the feelings of being lost and not valued. At this point I would entertain privatization of the VA. Some days I'm ashamed to be a veteran.
Like (4)
Follow
Share

What is House Bill H.R. 474?

This bill would re-authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) through fiscal year 2020. The HVRP helps reintegrate homeless veterans by offering job training, counseling, and placement services. People eligible for HVRP services include:

  • Homeless veterans.

  • Veterans receiving rental assistance through VA supported housing programs.

  • Veterans who are transitioning into civilian life from being incarcerated.

Impact

Homeless veterans, participants in VA-supported housing, and veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated, taxpayers, the VA.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 474

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However, the program generally runs on $38 million until it expires in 2015.

More Information

Of Note: Homeless veterans comprise as much as 12 percent of the total homeless population in the U.S. While there are approximately 49,333 veterans that are homeless on any given night in the U.S., an estimated 1.4 million vets are considered to be at risk of homelessness.

According to a report from December 2013, there were about 700,000 veterans who were incarcerated in prisons and jails. In April 2015, there were over 507,000 unemployed veterans, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.


In-Depth: The HVRP provides competitive grants to entities that offer services directly to homeless and vulnerable veterans to help them get housing and employment. It is currently funded at $38 million, and is set to expire in 2015.

This bill was passed by voice vote in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) have introduced similar legislation in the Senate.


Media:


Summary by Eric Revell 
(Photo Credit: Flickr user yummyporky)

AKA

Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015

Official Title

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a five-year extension to the homeless veterans reintegration programs and to provide clarification regarding eligibility for services under such programs.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Veterans' Affairs
  • The house Passed May 18th, 2015
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Economic Opportunity
      Committee on Veterans' Affairs
    IntroducedJanuary 22nd, 2015
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    Tony's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/18/2015
    Our veterans have suffered enough. The VA has sometimes failed them and many may have undiagnosed PTSD or other maladies. With the homeless and suicidal rates of veterans far exceeding the national average we should provide more care rather than less. They may need help reintegrating into society.
    Like (25)
    Follow
    Share
    Tony's Opinion Against
    ···
    05/20/2015
    We owe our vets a debt of gratitude that most of us can't even comprehend, let alone pay. That said, giving faceless bureaucrats an open checkbook for the next five years doesn't seem like a wise plan. Determine the most effective strategy, then come back with a written plan and a budget.
    Like (8)
    Follow
    Share
    Tylersmith's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/02/2016
    After all they have done for us, it is the least we can do to help serve them back in the ways we can. Veterans are mistreated very bad in our country right now and it is time that we stop and make a change.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    Will.i.am45's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/18/2015
    Veterans deserve to have the services available to be able to find jobs. They sacrificed for our freedom, its the least we could do.
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    PacificCstar's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/18/2015
    We owe veterans any care and support they require. They shield us from the horrors of war.
    Like (7)
    Follow
    Share
    Kevin's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/20/2015
    Reason why I voted yes on this is because there's over almost 780,000 homeless veterans in the United States alone that's not including the ones that haven't been counted we need programs like this in order to make that number go down to get our homeless veterans off the streets
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    Loraki's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/06/2016
     Homeless veterans comprise as much as 12 percent of the total homeless population in the U.S. While there are approximately 49,333 veterans that are homeless on any given night in the U.S., an estimated 1.4 million vets are considered to be at risk of homelessness. http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/ According to a report from December 2013, there were about 700,000 veterans who were incarcerated in prisons and jails. In April 2015, there were over 507,000 unemployed veterans, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. http://www.nextgov.com/defense/2013/12/va-and-defense-chiefs-confront-reality-700000-incarcerated-veterans/74816/ http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, WHEN THEY ARE SPENDING MILLIONS (or is it BILLIONS?) OF DOLLARS TO "RESETTLE" RAPEFUGEES AND ILLEGAL ALIENS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH ALL KINDS OF HELP, WHILE OUR VETERANS ARE BEING LEFT TO DIE FROM LACK OF CARE AND/OR TO BEG FOR HELP ON OUR STREETS?! THIS IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE! I PRAY TO GOD THAT OUR NEXT COMMANDER IN CHIEF IS WORTHY OF THE TITLE!
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    lcynicl's Opinion Against
    ···
    05/18/2015
    Let's do something that works rather than just throwing money.
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    Rick's Opinion Against
    ···
    06/03/2015
    I am a veteran and have been homeless. Veterans, homeless shelters are over crowded. Programming for veterans inpatient has been cut from 90 days to 45. Most veterans repeat the program 2-3 times because it's not long enough, staffed adequately, or addressing the various sensitive needs veterans have. Unless you have been at a VA, words can't truly describe the feelings of being lost and not valued. At this point I would entertain privatization of the VA. Some days I'm ashamed to be a veteran.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Ibrahim's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/21/2015
    We really need to work on this , this is America homeless should not exist
    Like (3)
    Follow
    Share
    Taret's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/18/2015
    Serving our Veterans is one of the most noble things Congress can do.
    Like (3)
    Follow
    Share
    Robert 's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/23/2015
    Veterans and their families have sacrificed much for the benefit of the citizens of this country. They have often found themselves in places and situations that others fear. It's easy to talk about sending others off to war when you know that you and yours will be home enjoying the privileges bought with the blood of others. We owe veterans a debt that can never be completely paid. Veterans on the street often have war-related issues that are not easily or quickly resolved. As such, it's of critical importance that we provide them with the support they need. If we as a country do not want to pay for the services veterans require maybe we'll have to stop sending so many to war.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Sarah's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/12/2015
    Our veterans risked their lives for our freedom. This is the least we could do to help those who have not been successful at reintegrating back into society.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Robbie's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/03/2015
    They have no where to go they have no money or clothing
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Curmudgeon's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/01/2015
    I cannot say how cost effective any government program would ever be (most suck) but we trained our military people to be useful in complicated responsibilities and then put them in service of our nation for a comparative pittance. They then sustained high degrees of both physical and psychological damage. We certainly ought to try to match them with jobs or retraining and assist their outplacement with vigor.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    J's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/21/2015
    As a vet I can tell you that yes there are programs out there that help but you still have to jump through some major hoops to be in.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Dakota's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/02/2016
    It's the very least we can do for them after all that they've sacrificed for their country, just to end up homeless? This should never have happened in the first place.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Steven's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/02/2016
    There is no reason a person who risks their live for the people of this country should EVER be homeless or go without any basic necessity. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves for not putting veterans on a pedestal of greatness where they belong.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    NoahStowers's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/13/2015
    With as much money as we give to non-working individuals who are not even seeking jobs there is no reason we cannot continue programs to find jobs for and train veterans, who actually want to work, to do well at these jobs.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    ItsJacobee's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/28/2016
    If this is the best plan currently in effect, we owe it to those who fought for us to fight for them and ensure that they're fine and supported.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE