Since 2010 the number of homeless veterans nationwide has gone down more than 30 percent, and Brown credits federal, state and local programs.  But he cites a recent Housing and Urban Development study showing nearly 50,000 vets remain homeless, including more than 1,100 in Ohio. Brown says his bill would improve existing Veterans Affairs programs and create others.

“It’s a question of, with this legislation, (really focusing) on finding ways to encourage landlords to rent to veterans, finding ways to help them with job training when they find homes so with some assistance they can stay in the workforce and provide for themselves and their families.”

Brown outlined his bill at a renovated duplex apartment in East Cleveland, which is home to four veterans. The project is a partnership between the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries and the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.