Develop a formal nationwide expedited claims process for homeless veterans. Veterans become homeless while waiting for their VA claims to be processed and often a resolved claim can provide the means for a homeless veteran to get into housing. It is unconscionable that a veteran would be forced to live in homelessness while waiting months or years for a claim to be resolved. There are several model DVA Regional office programs that provide exemplary models that should be developed into a national DVA model, with sanctions for not complying. Having a job at the end of the tunnel is often the difference between success and failure for vocational rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment.
Employment is central to keeping homes and families together.
Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee were true veteran advocates in the last session of the 106th Congress by reauthorizing HVRP at increased levels through FY2004 and by influencing the appropriators to provide full funding of the authorized level in FY2000 for the first time in the history of this program. That is a record that should be continued and your leadership is appreciated. Housing Community-based organizations express the need for safe, clean, sober housing for veterans as being one of the most pressing needs in their efforts to assist veterans, if indeed not the most pressing need. Congress should take all necessary steps to ensure that homeless veterans are in the process of resource allocations in every state and in all 900 plus areas for distribution of HUD homeless funds, as full partners in the process. State and community boards must include veteran representation in creating and distributing grant proposals and funding.