WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation (S. 1384) to enhance services that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides to homeless veterans and veterans at-risk of becoming homeless.  The bill would modify the funding mechanism for community-based services to homeless veterans, expand capacity of services for women veterans, and improve outreach to servicemembers and veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless.

"This legislation is a small, but important step in battling homelessness among veterans.  As our servicemembers transition from military service to civilian life some will be at risk of homelessness.  Any effort VA can make to assist these servicemembers will improve lives and reduce the demand for VA homeless services in the years to come," Chairman Akaka stated.

"We have all heard the sad and shocking statistic that one out of every three homeless persons on the street at any given time is a veteran.  This bill is another step in attempting to address and solve this shameful problem," said Akaka.

The major provisions of this bill would:

• Correct some problems with the funding mechanisms for community-based entities who serve homeless veterans (VA's Grant and Per Diem Program);

• Make permanent a demonstration program to assist veterans transitioning from institutions who are at risk for homelessness, and create a new program to similarly assist newly separated servicemembers transitioning to civilian life;

• Close the gap in domiciliary care for homeless women veterans.

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