Congresswoman Nikema Williams Passes Legislation to Address Veteran Homelessness

WASHINGTON – This week, Congresswoman Nikema Williams’ (GA-05) legislation to increase the supply of housing for veterans passed the House of Representatives as a part of H.R. 8371, a Veterans Affairs legislative package. 

Congresswoman Williams’ Return Home to Housing Act, originally introduced in November 2023, will raise the maximum allowable rate that the Department of Veterans Affairs can reimburse to service providers for supplying transitional housing to unhoused veterans. By ensuring providers can receive adequate reimbursement for their costs, this legislation will help housing providers serve more unhoused veterans in need. The bipartisan legislation was co-led by Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24).

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“I will never stop fighting to guarantee that everyone has access to dignified housing–especially those who have put their lives on the line to defend our democracy. America has a responsibility to ensure that no veteran is left without a safe place to call home. The provisions of the Return Home to Housing Act help fulfill that promise, addressing housing injustice for veterans in Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District and across the country.” 

The Return Home to Housing Act is endorsed by several organizations including: The American Legion, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

Click here for full text of H.R. 8371

Click here for the section regarding the Return Home to Housing Act