News Releases

Alting’s Bill to Help Homeless Hoosier Veterans Passes Senate

STATEHOUSE (March 1, 2017) — Legislation authored by State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) to help homeless Hoosier veterans passed the Senate this week by a vote of 50-0.

Senate Bill 517 would require the Hoosier Lottery Commission to transfer $500,000 per year through June 30, 2020 of the surplus lottery revenue to the state treasurer to be deposited in a grant account established within the Veterans’ Affairs Trust Fund. Money in the grant account would be used to fund programs and groups that provide services to veterans, including:

  • Programs focused on eliminating homelessness;
  • Assisting veterans in moving from public housing assistance to home ownership or long-term rental status;
  • Therapeutic services; and
  • Job training and job search assistance.

“I’m extremely happy to see this bill pass the Senate,” Alting said. “Along with helping these veterans find employment and assistance with housing, the most important parts of the bill are that it focuses on mental health and substance abuse treatment. If we don’t get these under control, we will lose the fight to help homeless Hoosier veterans. Helping these men and women get clean and be in good mental health is a step in improving their quality of life.”

Alting added that in Marion County there are 326 homeless veterans, which accounts for 25 percent of the adult homeless population. In Alting’s district, the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center has housed 238 veterans and their families since 2013.

SB 517 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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Contact: Brady Hagerty, Senior Press Secretary

brady.hagerty@iga.in.gov
317-232-9425