To the editor:
Veterans continue to be a significant priority for me in the Legislature. Among the many challenges that veterans continue to face across Minnesota is housing. I firmly believe that this problem needs to be addressed.
Unfortunately, issues in Washington have meant delays and diversions of federal funds that would have helped develop these housing options in the past. That’s why, this year, the House of Representatives created a Select Committee on Veterans Housing. This bipartisan committee has members from all over Minnesota that are tasked with examining the issue from every angle to ensure we move forward with the best possible solution for our veterans.
Recently, the Select Committee on Veterans Housing released their findings and suggestions. One of their primary recommendations is to have more focus placed on local housing facilities that can let veterans “age in place”, rather than traveling far away from their family and loved ones. Essentially that would mean building facilities of roughly 15-20 beds in strategic locations across the state instead of one large facility in the metro area. While I see this recommendation as one possibility, I am fully supportive of opening up the dialog and finding new solutions to how we best serve our veterans.
As you may know, I’ve worked for several years to get a housing facility built in Montevideo that could serve veterans from our area. That project has support from local county commissioners, city elected officials, veterans groups, and community members. I’m grateful for the financial commitments of approximately $5 million made by these entities.
This session, the House DFL is committed to exploring numerous funding options for veterans’ homes. These options will likely require the passage of a bonding bill; being that a bonding bill requires a super-majority, I’m hopeful that House Republicans will also be supportive of passing a comprehensive bonding bill to deal with the infrastructure needs facing our state.
I will continue to work with local, state, and federal officials to find ways to best serve our veterans.
Let’s get this done!
Andrew Falk