Senators Charles Schumer (L) and Robert Mendez discussed the rising numbers of homeless U.S. veterans on Wednesday. (Dan Skorbach/The Epoch Times)
Schumer says that many vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are falling into homelessness much sooner than Vietnam vets did, and that repeated tours and high anxiety from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are accelerating homeless rates among veterans.
Schumer’s report estimates that there are 3,200 homelss veterans in New York City, 1,900 in the Hudson Valley, and 2,300 in Long Island. To aid these veterans Schumer announced the Homes for Heroes program, and to overhaul student loan programs for vets here in New York and across the United States.
Schumer cited a report, the “2008 Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Group (CHALENG),” that found that between one-fourth and one-fifth of homeless persons in America are veterans.
The report goes on to state that on any given night in the United States there are approximately 131,000 homeless veterans, but that over the course of a year, as many as 336,627 veterans experience homelessness. There are an estimated 14,132 homeless veterans in New York State.
“On this Veterans’ Day, we cannot forget the thousands of heroes that have been let down by our nation’s failure to address their needs,” Schumer said.
“One homeless vet is one too many, thousands of homeless vets is simply unacceptable. Our veterans have undertaken tremendous risk to fight for our nation overseas and the least we can do as a country is ensure they have a home to return to. For too long, veterans returning from war have not received the help and resources they need,” said Schumer.
Sen. Schumer aims to assist those vets with housing assistance and to provide them with student loan relief.
Some key points outlined in the senator’s plan include:
• Immediately Approve New Funding for VA Homeless Program— Schumer today said he will push for the immediate passage of $75 million in new funding for veteran’s homelessness programs, funding that is included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.
• Dramatically Expand Permanent and Rental Housing Programs— Schumer said he has introduced comprehensive veteran’s housing legislation that would expand the supply of permanent affordable housing for low-income veteran families.
• Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Life—Schumer today announced that he is co-sponsoring new legislation, titled the Service Member Student Loan Relief Act. The legislation will stop interest from accruing on direct student loans for service members who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in hostile areas abroad.
