NCHV makes recommendations to Congress for COVID-19
The high risk of transmission of COVID-19 throughout the homeless population, combined with the anticipated economic impact social distancing can have on housing stability, demands that we act collectively to ensure veterans can access the supports they need to be stably housed.
This week, NCHV submitted a request to Congress for the inclusion of resources directly targeted to addressing the needs of veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in upcoming supplemental funding legislation. Additional resources will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) to address a potential influx of veterans needing immediate access to permanent housing, or homeless prevention services.
“Veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. The population is aging and lacks reliable access to running water and safe spaces to isolate or self-quarantine,” said Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. “Further, the economic consequences of this pandemic and its resulting job losses will put many at-risk of homelessness. If homeless veterans are left behind in any Congressional response to this pandemic, the consequences will be deadly. Congress must distribute additional resources to VA and DOL so that organizations serving this population can continue to do so, safely and effectively.”
We requested:
- $30 Million in supplemental funding for VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program
- $90 Million in supplemental funding for VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program
- Enhanced partnership between HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program and VA’s Telehealth Program
- $65 Million to support an immediate per diem increase for VA’s Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program
- $15 Million for employment assistance through the Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration (HVRP) Program