Fighting For Our Veterans
April 29, 2016
In this world, we only get one life. We can’t erase the things of the past, or bury them in some grave – but the good news is – we can always start anew.
On Monday, I am going to the Veteran Community Project’s dedication of the first tiny house to be placed at the Veterans Village on East 89th Street in Kansas City. This project reminds me of the opportunities that we have to start anew. A four-acre Land Trust parcel is the site for dozens of tiny houses to be built exclusively for veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
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Example of a Veteran Tiny Home, provided by the Veterans Community Project. |
The good news is veteran homelessness is declining, thanks to programs like this one. The Veterans Community Project not only creates homes for our veterans who have already given so much, but it creates hope and a new beginning.
In late 2009, President Barack Obama and the Department of Veteran Affairs announced a goal to end Veteran homelessness included in the Opening Doors Initiative. The federal strategy set a path to end all homelessness for families and children by 2020.
In late 2009, President Barack Obama and the Department of Veteran Affairs announced a goal to end Veteran homelessness included in the Opening Doors Initiative. The federal strategy set a path to end all homelessness for families and children by 2020.
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Mockup of a Veteran Tiny Home, provided by the Veterans Community Project. |
Our veterans have experienced some things in life that many people will never experience. The results of war have left the lingering effects of PTSD, substance abuse, lack of family support, and homelessness. Nearly half of all homeless veterans are from the Vietnam era, and 50% of our homeless veterans are 51 years of age or older.
Holding down a job, a career, and a home isn’t impossible for those veterans who are experiencing some of those lingering effects of war, but they must have the support, and the resources to do it.
The Veterans Community Project is here to help with employment training and counseling. By developing this Veterans Village, we can help our veterans.
Both the VA and HUD have taken steps to increase housing and services for homeless veterans. A bill that I co-sponsored, H.R. 3700, passed unanimously in the House earlier this year. It ensures that veterans have access to housing and homelessness assistance and appoints a special advisor just for our veterans.
This Veterans Village will allow our homeless veterans to start over, beginning with their very own tiny homes. We must continue our work to help our veterans who have already given so much, providing them with a secure and safe place to live. After all, isn’t that what they did for us?
I wish you a pleasant and safe weekend, and go Royals!
Warmly,
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