A bill that hopes to help homeless female Veterans has been introduced to the United States Senate.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington and chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has unveiled a bill that will focus on helping homeless female Veterans.

Bill S3309 will provide community grants for transitional housing. These facilities, however, should meet the physical privacy, safety and security needs, as well as provide legal services that will assist low-income Veterans in finding permanent housing.

There is also progress made regarding Veteran homelessness so far, through the ongoing efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Obama administration, who are working together towards eradicating homelessness among Veterans within five years. Between 2010 and 2011, a 12 percent reduction in the number of homeless Veterans has been observed.

While Sen. Murray expressed pleasure at this development, she pointed out that despite the progress, “the number of homeless women Veterans has continued to increase.” Sen. Murray attributed this rise in part to the scarcity of housing options for women with children, as well as the fact that even if there was available housing, it is inadequate.

Sen. Murray shared further: “Infrastructure needs such as private and secure rooms and showering facilities are often lacking,” so much so that women Vets and their children may end up being placed “in uncomfortable and potentially unsafe situations.”

Sen. Murray said: “We can do better… No Veteran should have to choose between housing and their safety or between housing and remaining with their family.”