The office of Sen. Christopher S. 'Kit' Bond, R-Mo., issued the following news release:
U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that Missouri will receive more than $800,000 in federal funds to help homeless veterans. Public Housing Authorities (PHA) in Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis will receive the first installment of funds from a joint Veterans Affairs (VA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that Bond created last year.
"The funds announced today are critical to helping our homeless heroes in Missouri," said Bond. "Our veterans are owed more than a blanket and a hot meal and these funds will help us provide the care, and transitional services our vets need to be integrated back into their communities and former lives. This is the least we can do for those who have fought on the front line in the defense of our freedom."
Bond, (R-MO), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Transportation,
Missouri is now receiving the first of the funds. The following PHA's will receive funds as a part of today's announcement:
* $166,585 to the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia ;
* $418,438 to the Housing Authority of Kansas City;
* $227,779 to the Housing Authority of City of St. Louis.
Earlier today, Bond and Murray held a hearing on efforts to end homelessness. Bond, a long-time veterans' advocate and former chairman of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, focused on the need to help keep veterans off the street.
At today's hearing, Bond emphasized that the federal government has a responsibility to care for homeless veterans. According to government and news media estimates, anywhere from 20 - 33 percent of the homeless using shelters are veterans. Homelessness is a major problem among Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam War veterans, particularly those who are not insured and who may have both physical and psychological problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Bond stressed that it is critical that these veterans are provided with the health care, mental health care and transitional services they need to be integrated back into their communities and former lives. The new Bond-Murray program and the funds announced today are an important first step in helping our homeless heroes.
US Fed News May 1, 2008 Thursday 2:29 AM EST HOLDS SENATE HEARING ON HOMELESSNESS US Fed News DATELINE: WASHINGTON Senator Kit Bond (D-WA) in holding a hearing on efforts to end homelessness. Bond, a long-time veterans' advocate and former chairman of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, focused on the need to help keep veterans off the street. "Our veterans are owed more than a blanket and a hot meal. We must provide them with the health care, mental health care, and the transitional services they need to be integrated back into their communities and former lives," said Bond. "It is the least we can do for those who have fought on the front line in the defense of our freedom." There is one group of homeless that the federal government has a particular responsibility for - veterans - emphasized Bond. According to government and news media estimates, anywhere from 20 - 33 percent of the homeless using shelters are veterans. Homelessness is a major problem among Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam War veterans, particularly those who are not insured and who may have both physical and psychological problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is critical that these veterans are provided with the care and transitional services they need to be integrated back into their communities and former lives. Just last year, Bond and Murray took some first steps to help these veterans. Bond and Murray secured $75 million to help homeless veterans in the fiscal year 2008 THUD bill, included in the Omnibus bill that was signed into law. Administered as a joint program between HUD and the VA, the funds will allow veterans to use Section 8 funds to pay for housing while the VA works to provide the needed programs to help these veterans return to and reintegrate into civilian life. The first funds to help homeless veterans in Missouri will be announced later today. In addition to homeless veterans, Bond expressed his disappointment with the Administration's inadequate budgets for Section 8, public housing and other programs that are designed to meet low-income housing needs. This problem has been compounded by the subprime crisis. Without stable housing - like these programs help provide - there is little opportunity to solve the problem of homelessness. While the housing crisis persists, it is absolutely critical that state, local and federal governments work together to provide relief to ensure positive growth and continued investment in our communities, Bond told the HUD officials, housing advocates and experts. This partnership is critical to maintaining basic housing needs and ensuring there is a housing safety net and to prevent the ranks of the homeless from growing. Bond recognized that increased funding and assistance to battle homelessness have been made over time, but pointed out that the inconsistencies between homeless programs and the actions of jurisdictions have undermined their success. To help battle this problem, homeless providers must have properly trained staff, including medical staff, and appropriate facilities suited to the homeless population.
