21/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 21/08/2024 16:27
LAS VEGAS, NV - U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced today that $8,702,592 in grant funding is coming to Nevada through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help provide housing and critical wraparound services for Nevada veterans experiencing homelessness. Specifically, U.S.VETS Las Vegas and the Salvation Army in Southern Nevada will receive $5.6 million and over $3.1 million, respectively, to help veterans and their families secure and maintain stable housing. Additionally, Nation's Finest-which serves veterans in Mohave County, Arizona and Clark County, Nevada-will receive nearly $23 million to provide critical services to veteran families in rural areas.
"Our veterans sacrificed so much for our country, and it's our responsibility to take care of them," said Senator Rosen. "I have always supported funding for programs to end veteran homelessness, and I'm glad to see this federal funding is coming to Nevada to ensure veterans have the support they deserve. I'll keep working in a bipartisan way on behalf of Nevada's veterans."
"Veterans in Nevada should never have to worry about having a roof over their heads," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This funding will help ensure that veterans get the benefits they've earned - from housing support to personalized counseling, and short-term aid for vital needs like rent and utilities. I'll keep working to make sure every Nevada veteran has access to safe, secure, and affordable housing."
This funding comes on the heels of a 4.5% drop in veteran homelessness nationwide between 2020 and 2023. In 2023 alone, the VA successfully placed more than 46,500 homeless veterans into permanent housing. Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto are working to continue to lower housing costs and keep Nevadans in their homes. Rosen has led a bipartisan call to fund HUD's Veteran Affairs and Supportive Housing program, which provides support for veterans experiencing homelessness and health problems, and Cortez Masto is leading legislation to significantly increase the amount of federal funds available for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HOME Investment Partnership Program to build more affordable homes across the country.
Rosen and Cortez Masto are also champions for servicemembers and veterans, as well as for their families. They worked across the aisle to pass the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need. Senator Rosen has introduced a bipartisan bill to build on the VA's suicide prevention efforts by implementing a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five VA medical centers, including one that must primarily serve veterans in rural and remote areas. She also secured $1 million in funding to help combat veteran homelessness and improve housing access in northern Nevada. In the recent bipartisan government funding package, Senator Rosen secured funding to increase access to affordable housing for veterans, continue building Nevada's first national veterans cemetery in Elko, and increase funding for veteran's access to telehealth. Additionally, Cortez Masto passed her Brian Neuman Act to remove roadblocks for disabled veterans accessing their benefits, and is also working to pass legislation to ensure the benefits of veterans with service-connected disabilities keep up with the rising cost of living.
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