Santa Clarita’s Congressman continues to fight for improving Veteran Affairs and services.

House Representative Steve Knight (R) is leading the fight for increased funding for Veteran housing, according to a statement released Friday morning from the Congressman’s D.C. office.

There are eight state-run Veterans Homes in California that provide California’s aged and disabled veterans with rehabilitative, residential, and medical care and services in a home-like environment.

The initiative, which serves over 3,000 veterans in the state, has several locations in Southern California including West Los Angeles, Ventura, and Lancaster.

The national program currently faces a backlog of $640 million in deferred maintenance, which threatens its capacity and quality of service, according to the press release.

In a letter to the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veteran Affairs and Related Agencies, urged an increased spending on the program in order to ensure its continued success.

“Originally formed after the Civil War to give shelter to disabled and homeless veterans, these homes have served veterans in our communities for well over 100 years,” Knight states in the letter. “Our veterans sacrifice dearly for us, and we must in turn ensure they receive proper medical care.”

Knight, a veteran of the United States Army, has continually voted in favor of improved veteran care, co-sponsoring two bills in Congress for increased VA accountability and modernization.

“I’ve seen firsthand the incredible support that CalVet Veterans Homes provide to veterans in our community, and I am thankful to my colleagues for joining me in this important effort,” said Knight. “I will continue to fight to improve and increase services for the brave men and women who selflessly served our country.”