Brown Announces New Federal Resources to Provide Housing and Transportation Assistance for Homeless Veterans in Cincinnati

Federal Funds will Allow Talbert House in Cincinnati to Renovate Transitional Housing Facility and Provide Transportation for Homeless Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 13, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced new federal resources to provide renovated housing and transportation for homeless veterans in Cincinnati as a part of the Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD). The funds will allow the Talbert House in Cincinnati to renovate its facility in an effort to increase the useful life of the facility and address the safety, security, and privacy needs of the homeless veterans served. Talbert House will also receive funds to acquire a new van which will provide outreach and transportation support to homeless veterans.

“The men and women of the Armed Forces have been made a promise that if they defend our country, a grateful nation will provide them with services and benefits they have earned,” Brown, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said. “We must end veteran homelessness and the Talbert House in Cincinnati is an important resource for helping do so. It is critical that we do all we can to serve those who have served our nation.”

According the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), the GPD Program helps close gaps in available housing for the nation’s most vulnerable homeless veterans. The Talbert House received two GPD grants including a $20,543 grant to acquire a van, and a $221,247 grant to renovate the housing facility.

Brown is an advocate for Ohio veterans in the U.S. Senate. As an original co-sponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Law, Brown has fought to decrease unemployment for Ohio veterans by connecting them job retraining programs and transition assistance. In October, Brown traveled throughout Ohio to build support for the Troop Talent Act of 2013, legislation that would help veterans better utilize the skills they acquired in the military to full-time employment when they transition back to civilian life.

Brown has been working to reduce the VA claims backlog and recently announced in Toledo that he has introduced the Veterans Services Outreach Act. This legislation would require the VA to notify veterans filing claims electronically that they can receive help and important time-saving information that could significantly reduce their wait time. Brown is also working to pass the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2013, legislation that would hold the VA accountable by requiring it to publically report information on both its projected monthly goals and actual production so that Congress and the public knows if the VA is working toward eliminating its backlog. The bill would also establish a task force to hire and train claims processors, and develop tactics to attack and eliminate the backlog.

Brown is the only Ohio Senator to serve a full term on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and is Co-Chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus.