In 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that there are over 700 homeless veterans in Pennsylvania. More can be done to help our veterans who have courageously sacrificed and served to protect and strengthen our nation.  
 
To help support those who bravely served our country and now find themselves struggling financially, I will be introducing legislation that would bring the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) together to assist veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The DMVA would implement a program to identify these veterans, while the PHFA would establish a housing ombudsman to advocate for homeless veterans in the housing market. 
 
Under this legislation, eligible applicants would receive a maximum of $1,000 per month rental voucher for a period of 12 months with the possibility of renewal. The DMVA would be authorized to require veterans to participate in mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, job training, or other supportive programs as a condition of participation in its program. 
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important effort to prevent veteran homelessness in Pennsylvania. Your support will help advance our shared goal of ensuring all Pennsylvanian veterans obtain permanent and sustainable housing.  

Thank you for your consideration.