U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer

[Sen. Boxer] – U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) joined with Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) on Tuesday to introduce legislation to help end homelessness among our nation’s veterans. The Check the Box for Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 offers taxpayers the opportunity to help keep those who have served our country off the streets by making a voluntary contribution on their annual federal income tax return to support programs that prevent and combat veteran homelessness.

Senator Boxer said, “It is inexcusable that tens of thousands of homeless veterans spend their nights on the streets, and this new check-off box would give Americans a simple way to give back to those who have given so much for us.”

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, each night approximately 62,619 of our nation’s veterans are homeless, representing 13 percent of the adult homeless population in the United States. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that 1.4 million more veterans are at risk of becoming homeless because of poverty, lack of support from family and friends, substance use or mental health issues, and precarious living conditions.

Boxer’s legislation would give taxpayers the option to check a box on their annual tax return and make a voluntary contribution in the amount of their choice to a new Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund established in the U.S. Treasury. Donations to the fund would be used to provide assistance to homeless veterans through initiatives at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Labor.

The legislation would support the Administration’s comprehensive five-year plan to end homelessness among our nation’s veterans by 2015.

Senator Boxer introduced similar legislation in both the 111th and 112th Congresses.