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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisc.), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of the subcommittee’s oversight hearing to address the epidemic of homelessness among veterans:

Good morning.

The Subcommittee will come to order.

I want to thank everyone for being here today to discuss veteran homelessness.

Today, our Subcommittee will evaluate the topic of homelessness among our nation’s veterans.

As always, I appreciate the nonpartisan approach this subcommittee takes when working on this issue.

Since 2010, homelessness among veterans has decreased by 52%.

Much of this reduction in homelessness is the result of hard work from this Committee, community providers, local officials, and V.A.

However, I am concerned about continued government spending on homeless veteran programs and the fact that in the 2023 Point-in-Time count, despite increased funding, the number of veterans experiencing homeless actually increased.

Why is it that when we are spending over $3.1 billion dollars at V.A. to address homelessness among veterans this year, which shakes out to nearly $90,000 per veteran, the number of homeless veterans continues to rise under the Biden Administration?

$90,000 per veteran is a lot of money and we must have accountability.

I hope to receive answers on this increase and what can be done to address this worrisome trend immediately. 

I also hope to hear from stakeholders and V.A. about how we can be more flexible with the funding we have now, not just the funding in the future.

We have heard from numerous providers about the need for more flexibility in how the funds Congress appropriates can be spent.

We have also heard about the need for better and more coordinated, data collection by V.A. so Congress and providers have a better picture of the state of veteran homelessness nationwide and in their own communities.

I am tired of hearing about how it takes Congress years to respond to a problem.

This subcommittee needs a better picture from V.A. about the actual issues veterans and providers are dealing with so we can be proactive.

Whether it is a lack of mental health treatment, ineligibility for economic opportunity programs, or whatever it may be, we must focus on the root cause of homelessness.

Doing this will keep veterans off the streets, save the taxpayer money, and most importantly, save lives.

Suicide among veterans with indications of homelessness is 186.5% higher than the suicide rate for veterans without a homelessness risk.

Something clearly is not being done right by V.A. and this is too important of an issue for us to ignore.

Additionally, if Congress had more up to date information, and providers could be more flexible with the resources they already had, we wouldn’t have to develop more legislation to try to fix the problem.

V.A. has the tools they need.

There are a number of providers across the country that have developed creative ways to lift veterans out of homelessness.

Some communities have developed “one-stop-shops” to try to address the underlying needs of the veterans who seek help.

Others have developed “by-name” lists to allow the providers within the community to coordinate the services provided to veterans and ensure no one is falling through the cracks.

Some communities in my state address homelessness through faith-based organizations that are not taxpayer funded.

I am pleased to welcome my constituent, Randy Withrow, from Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin as a witness today. 

Lutheran Social Services provides housing and services to veterans in three locations in Wisconsin including Chippewa Falls, in my District. 

I look forward to you all hearing Randy’s testimony and story of hope—and the good Lutheran Social Services has been doing for our community. 

Other communities, such as Miami, have developed creative ways to raise funds to supplement the taxpayer dollars they receive.

These alternative methods of funding provide additional flexibility for the providers.

I look forward to hearing from V.A. and the second panel about what steps Congress should take to make sure data on homeless veterans is more up to date, communities are collaborating to address underlying causes of homelessness among veterans, and how V.A. can more effectively use funding rather than continuing to balloon their budget.