Legislation Sends Unclaimed Clothing At Airport Checkpoints To Homeless Veterans
Washington, D.C. – December 17, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Kathy Hochul today announced Senate passage of the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, legislation that directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local charities to send clothing that is left unclaimed at airport security checkpoints to homeless veterans and their families.
The bipartisan bill cleared final Senate passage this week and is expected to pass the House of Representatives next week before President Obama signs it into law.
“Too many veterans who bravely served our country are today falling through the cracks back home, going without warm clothes or a roof over their head,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This bipartisan, common sense bill is just the right thing to do to help deliver clothes to more struggling veterans and their families who need it most.”
“At a time when tens of thousands of our veterans are homeless, every effort we can take to support our heroes is worthwhile,” said Rep. Hochul. “I was proud to receive the bipartisan support of my colleagues when introducing the bill in the House, and again when Senator Gillibrand secured passage in the Senate. I am optimistic that with the continued support of my colleagues, this legislation will soon be able to help our homeless veterans.”
Approximately 75,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, including roughly 20,000 recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the VA.
The TSA estimates that roughly 500 to 1,000 articles of clothing are left unclaimed each day by passengers at security check points.
Under the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, TSA would coordinate with the VA and local charities to connect unclaimed clothing with local veterans in need.
