Sinema’s bipartisan letter urges the VA to work with community partners and help guide local efforts supporting veterans experiencing homelessness in Arizona
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a coordinated strategy that helps guide local efforts supporting veterans experiencing homelessness in Arizona.
“The VA must work hand-in-hand with community partners in Arizona to ensure veterans experiencing homelessness are safe and protected from COVID-19,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
In her bipartisan letter, Sinema asked the VA what steps it is taking to work with community partners and ensure a coordinated and collaborative response to support the homeless veteran community. Sinema underlines that this coordinated partnership with local partners must focus on infection control and prevention, comprehensive testing, proactive care for veterans testing positive for COVID-19, and proper access to PPE, testing, and training resources for staff.
Sinema recently introduced the Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020—legislation bringing relief and resources to the VA’s Homeless Program Office by expanding its authorities to provide food, transportation, and communications technologies to homeless veterans and easing requirements that are especially onerous during the coronavirus pandemic. Sinema also recently introduced legislation providing a new $75 billion Housing Assistance Fund to help everyday Arizona families afford rent and mortgage payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, Sinema cosponsored the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act that expands upon existing programs that help homeless veterans and provides greater resources to prevent veteran homelessness.
Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona, for Arizonans looking for the latest information on coronavirus.