Cherfilus-McCormick Praises Drop in Veteran Homelessness

Veteran homelessness rates have reached a historic low under the Biden-Harris Administration, a milestone that Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (R-FL) praised in a recent statement, saying, "This momentous achievement reflects the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration and congressional Democrats to support the men and women who served our country."

The Military Times confirmed the news, noting that veteran homelessness rates have dropped 55% in the past 14 years. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has aggressively tried to find stable housing for our nation's heroes in Fiscal Year 2024, with 48,000 veterans benefitting this year alone and 133,000 in the past three years.

Additionally, the number of veterans living on the street without stable housing has dropped by 2,700 individuals since last year, leaving 32,882 individuals still in need of these benefits.

"Our veterans deserve our utmost respect for their bravery and sacrifices, and that includes ensuring they have a safe place to call home. Today, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness announced a record low in veteran homelessness on Veterans Day. This momentous achievement reflects the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration and congressional Democrats to support the men and women who served our country. Still, much more work must be done – one homeless veteran is one too many. Our veterans shouldn't face homelessness after risking so much in service to our country. Today's achievement brings us closer to a future where every veteran has the support they need to thrive," said Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick in her press release.

In September, the Florida Congresswoman introduced a bipartisan bill with Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) named the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act. This bill would create case managers who are assigned to oversee and coordinate benefits offered by Medicare and Veterans Affairs for each veteran enrolled in both programs, streamlining and personalizing cases to ensure the best quality of care with minimal hassle.

"Our nation's veterans deserve the highest quality and standard of care. The VA and Medicare program must fulfill this mission, but research continues to show that dually enrolled veterans struggle to navigate the healthcare bureaucracy and receive coordinated care," Cherfilus-McCormick said in September.