Washington, DC — The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is aware of the newly announced memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Justice intended to help ensure that some of the nation’s most vulnerable veterans receive timely and appropriate care. Ensuring that vulnerable veterans receive appropriate care is essential. In some circumstances, the appointment of a legal guardian can help veterans access treatment and transition safely to more appropriate care settings. However, guardianship and other forms of involuntary intervention are serious legal actions that remove significant personal autonomy. They must be used sparingly, with strong safeguards, [...]

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) urges Congress to finalize funding legislation and authorize continued operations of critical homeless-veteran programs — especially Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) — without delay. These programs are on the front lines of VA's response to unsheltered homelessness as this Administration prioritizes a response. If Congress fails to authorize these programs, VA will be unable to utilize funding received by advance-appropriation to carry forward its mission of ending veteran homelessness. Program authorizations must be enacted — whether they remain in the Continuing Resolution or are enacted [...]