A state House panel unanimously approved a bill Monday that provides $300,000 dollars annually to the Arizona Department of Veteran Services to distribute as grants to emergency shelters.
Nathan Smith is director of Central Arizona Shelter Services. He spoke in favor of the bill, saying CASS doesn’t have the proper resources to adequately help veterans.
"These are people who have given life and limb to serve our country, and I cannot stand seeing them languish in our shelters and us as providers not have the resources to quickly and meaningfully engage them," Smith said.
The committee also approved another bill creating a grant program to help veterans in the criminal justice system get treatment for conditions such as PTSD.
More news on homelessness
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The Homeless ID Project is bringing its mobile kiosk to Tucson to demonstrate how they’ve provided their clients easier access to IDs around the Valley. -
The new plan adopted by Phoenix City Council sets goals to decrease homelessness and further expand shelter and housing availability in the city. -
Homelessness has risen dramatically since the 20-teens when there were around 5,600 people living on the street and in shelters. Today, the count is closer to 10,000. -
HB 2682 would set aside $5 million to create a new rental assistance program in Arizona. Qualifying renters would be able to apply for up to $5,000 to cover up to two months of rent. -
A bill to make it easier for unhoused individuals to get a state ID is advancing in the Arizona Legislature.
