Congresswoman Ramirez Introduces Legislation to Expand Permanent Housing for Unhoused Veterans

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03),  a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to expand federal funding available for the development of permanent housing opportunities for veterans. 

H.R.10148 would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide funding for housing developers through the Grant Per Diem Program (GDP) to expand the permanent housing units available for veterans. Currently, the GPD program principally funds community organizations to provide transitional housing to veterans. 

“In IL-03, almost 50% of working-class tenants spend more than 30% of their income on housing.  The affordable housing crisis is also affecting countless veterans, who also face difficulties in finding safe, stable housing,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “That’s why I am excited to announce the introduction of legislation to expand permanent housing for veterans by increasing funding and support for housing entities. After all that our veterans have sacrificed for our country, none of them should have to worry whether they will have a roof over their heads.”

Since last year, the VA decreased the number of veterans experiencing homelessness by 7.5% and permanently housed nearly 48,000 veterans this year alone. But, 32,000 veterans still remain unhoused. 

The legislation is co-sponsored by Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

To read the bill text, CLICK HERE.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Last week, Rep. Ramirez convened a Special Order Hour on Honoring Service with Action to discuss how we must deliver on the promises made to our veterans. During the special order, Ramirez honored her constituent and veteran advocate, Major Karen Hernández. For the recording of the special order hour, CLICK HERE.
• On Veterans Day, Congresswoman Ramirez joined local veterans and veteran-serving organizations for a roundtable and a press conference to announce this new legislation. After the recent election results, Ramirez and the local veterans also discussed the importance of legislation to protect education benefits, address student loan debt, and expand health care benefits that must be championed in a bipartisan spirit. For the recording of the press conference, CLICK HERE. For photos of the event, CLICK HERE.

BACKGROUND:

Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) has championed critical veterans' legislation, like the House-passed bipartisan legislation, the Student Veterans Benefits Restoration Act, and the Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act. She is also a co-sponsor of the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2024 and voted to pass it out of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. The bill would expand eligibility for HUD-VASH vouchers and pathways to permanent housing for homeless veterans.

IL-03 veterans and veterans nationally face significant challenges in navigating housing, healthcare, and education. 

• Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District represents parts of Chicago, suburban Cook County, and DuPage County. There are 20,727 veterans in the IL-03.

In the IL03, approximately 28.7% of veterans have a disability, and 11.1% live under the poverty line. However, too many veterans struggle to secure housing and the benefits they have earned.