“We Must Ensure our Native Vets are Not Homeless”
Senator Co-Sponsors Legislation to Provide Support to At-Risk Native Veterans
Senator Lisa Murkowski co-sponsored bipartisan legislation (S.2960) to provide support for homeless and at-risk Native veterans. The bill was introduced by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and also co-sponsored by Murkowski’s colleagues on the committee, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Al Franken (D-MN), and Tom Udall (D-NM).
This bill will allow funds directed to at-risk and homeless veterans to be made available to Native veterans as well. Currently, vouchers are available for rental assistance due to a joint initiative between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. S.2960 will make these funds available to tribal housing authorities as well.
“Just as our nation has a duty to honor Veterans for their service to our country, America also has a commitment to our First People – known as the federal Indian trust responsibility,” said Senator Murkowski. “Alaska Natives and American Indians serve at higher rates in our military than any other group in America. We must ensure that our Native vets are not homeless, and this bill demonstrates a fulfillment of this simple promise we must keep.”
