Representatives Introduce Legislation to Allow Taxpayers to Assist Homeless Veterans

Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL), Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the “Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act of 2017” on April 4. The bipartisan bill is designed to help homeless veterans by providing an option for voluntary contributions to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through a new “check-off box” on the annual federal tax return. The bill would make these funds available to the VA solely to provide services to homeless veterans, including developing and implementing new and innovative strategies to end veteran homelessness in consultation with the Departments of Labor and HUD.

“On any night in America, nearly 40,000 veterans are without a home,” said Mr. Schneider. “It’s unconscionable that men and women who served our country, and may still bear the physical and mental scars of that service, are forced to live on the streets. Giving Americans the option to divert a portion of their tax refund to aid homeless veterans is a small, commonsense step to make it easier to give back to those who sacrificed for us.”

“A young American’s decision to serve in our Armed Forces should not lead them into poverty and homelessness,” said Mr. Deutch. “With this bill, the American people can help homeless veterans access the crucial services they need by donating directly to a fund overseen by Congress.”

The legislation would require the president’s annual budget request to outline proposed uses of the contributed funds and to notify Congress of any expenditures of the funds with 60 days’ notice.

Read Mr. Schneider’s press release at: http://bit.ly/2oYxqnn