The Georgia Department of Veterans Service has long sought to create a program for the state's growing population of women's veterans.

On Thursday, state Senate unanimously backed the idea, too.

Senate Bill 108, sponsored by state Sen. Larry Walker III, R-Perry, seeks to address the unique needs of a population that numbers to about 100,000, or about 15 percent of veterans in Georgia.

Women veterans are the fastest growing segment of the state’s homeless veterans population, Walker said, and are more likely to be caretakers of their parents. They’re also more likely to be younger — about 84 percent are considered to be of working age, 17 to 64 years old.

Gov. Nathan Deal this year has also backed the idea, and has proposed funding for it in his fiscal 2018 budget under consideration in the Legislature.

Thursday’s vote sends SB 108 to the state House for consideration.

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U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff waves to a crowd of supporters during his "Rally For Our Republic" event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, inside the Kehoe Iron Works building at Trustees Garden in Savannah. During his speech, Ossoff said, "What’s happening to our country right now should chill us to the bone." (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock for the AJC

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U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff waves to a crowd of supporters during his "Rally For Our Republic" event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, inside the Kehoe Iron Works building at Trustees Garden in Savannah. During his speech, Ossoff said, "What’s happening to our country right now should chill us to the bone." (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock for the AJC