Obama to unveil housing plan for vets

[mark414]

Source: Associated Press

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) on Friday said he would unveil a housing program for veterans aimed at keeping them off the streets when their service is completed.

The Illinois senator told The Associated Press he would introduce legislation Monday that he calls Homes for Heroes. The plan would establish grant and voucher programs to encourage development of affordable housing targeted for veterans.

"Veterans are far more likely to be homeless than non-veterans and part of it is because we're not providing services to them as they transition out of the service," Obama said in an interview before a campaign rally. "Part of it is because there is just not enough affordable housing."

*snip*

Obama said the government spends billions to prosecute the war but has consistently shortchanged programs for veterans, who should be a top priority.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070406/ap_on_el_pr/obama_veterans

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this seems like and obviously is an excellent idea...i am not completely sold on obama yet but things like this make me like him a little bit more everyday. not only is this the right thing to do, but it can attract the attention of typically conservative military voters who are upset about this war, Walter Reed, etc...it's a win-win

[xultar]

1. Great Idea!!!

[BayCityProgressive]

2. Good for Obama

I applaud any progressive legislation that comes out of any of the candidates.

[geek tragedy]

3. That's what supporting the troops really looks like. eom

[truthisfreedom]

4. "Homes for Heroes" just has "bushco totally sucks" painted all over it!

Just the sound of that phrase elicits a wave of true support for the troops, and serves as a stark reminder of bushco's failed miliatary policies here at home as well as abroad. bushco's false 'support the troops' slogan rings completely hollow in the face of Obama's real caring.

[MADem]

5. I think the number of homeless former servicemembers is our national shame, frankly

The problem isn't just housing for those in the lower economic ranges, it's mental health outreach (the lack thereof) for those with PTSD and other conditions. The VA needs to get the damned spirit and stop finding reasons to deny benefits. Of course, the VA needs to be funded properly too...it's easier to be generous and run premier programs when you have the doggone cash.

I'm glad he's doing this. He gets a :thumbsup: from me for his effort.

[MadMaddie]

6. It's a great idea....

but why not get some urban planners and reuse some of the military bases that were shut down? Many of these facilities are vacant....

They already have housing and barracks....it's a familiar setting for the vets...it's their community...these bases have theaters, grocery stores, medical facilities....why reinvent the wheel..
New buildings could be added and new housing can be added.....


Take these bases refurbish them into a community for our military vets. The vets could have jobs in the community that they have helped build and revitalize.

[MADem]

7. Those facilities are NOT the best. They're old, they crumble every year they aren't used

they aren't well-insulated, they aren't 'efficient.' Who would pay the bills? Who would run the joints? Where are they gonna get grocers, theater operators, doctors and dentists to staff these veteran facilities??

They were closed BECAUSE they cost too much to run. Those bases always operated at a loss, but when you need troops in Spot X, that's part of the cost of doing business.

Putting a bunch of sick old vets in the barracks isn't going to make them run at a profit.

Quite frankly, as a retired military member, if I were in those circumstances, the LAST fucking thing I'd want is to be back on an installation, having to follow bullshit rules. And you KNOW there'd be bullshit rules.

I realize you meant well with your suggestion, but I think it's a lead balloon.

Segregation is NOT the answer. These people need housing that is integrated into the community, and mental health and medical outreach.

[MadMaddie]

8. All very good points...but why not raze the facilities...the government

still owns the property and integrate the property into the surrounding communities...

Property is a big issue..

But I do undertand what you are saying...I was thinking more of the bases being more civilian than military...
:hi:

[MADem]

9. They do when they can. They also give the housing back to towns for them to sell or do with what

they will.

If there's ground contamination, there's an issue with turning over property. See http://www1.lucs.org/news.cfm?id=133

They DO turn property over all the time. "Monterey Junior College" used to be FT ORD, for example. Subic Bay is now an international port and enterprise zone. But it's a long process if there's "issues" with the facilities or the land. The towns don't want to end up with a multi-million dollar clean-up bill.

[cascagraphic]

10. K&R