Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 224
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-70
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-20: Became Public Law No: 119-70.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T03:28:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 224: Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act
Purpose
This legislation aims to improve housing access for disabled veterans by ensuring that their disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not count as income when determining eligibility for certain federal housing programs. It seeks to prevent this compensation from disqualifying veterans from benefits intended for low- and moderate-income individuals.
Key Provisions
- Exclusion of Disability Compensation: Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to require states, local governments, and Indian tribes to exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from income calculations when assessing if a person qualifies as low- or moderate-income for housing and community development programs.
- Government Report: Directs the Comptroller General of the United States (an independent auditor for Congress) to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment. The report must:
- Review how VA disability compensation is handled in eligibility determinations for all programs run by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Identify any programs where this compensation is treated differently from the new exclusion rule.
- Recommend legislative changes to make these programs more supportive of veterans and underserved communities where inconsistencies exist.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new subsection (C) to section 102(a)(20) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)(20)), explicitly mandating the exclusion of VA service-connected disability compensation from income definitions for low- and moderate-income status.
- This is the first targeted federal requirement to treat VA disability benefits as non-countable income specifically for these housing eligibility purposes, promoting consistency in how veteran benefits are viewed.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Disabled veterans may more easily qualify for housing assistance, community development aid, and related programs, potentially increasing their access to affordable housing and reducing financial barriers.
- On Government Agencies: HUD and local administering entities (states, cities, and Indian tribes) will need to update income verification processes, which could streamline applications for veterans but require training and system adjustments. The required report may lead to further policy reviews and reforms across HUD programs.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic policy focused on U.S. veterans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Disabled Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, as the change directly aids their eligibility for housing support without reducing their VA benefits.
- HUD and VA: HUD programs will see eligibility expansions; VA benefits remain unchanged but are better integrated into housing policy.
- State, Local Governments, and Indian Tribes: Responsible for implementing the income exclusion in community development block grants and similar programs, potentially increasing program participation.
- Underserved Communities: Indirectly benefits areas with high veteran populations by promoting equitable access to federal housing funds.
- Congress: Receives the Comptroller General's report, which could influence future legislation on veteran and housing issues.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens protections for veteran benefits under federal law by clarifying their non-income status in specific contexts, aligning with broader efforts to honor service-related sacrifices without administrative penalties. No direct challenges to existing statutes, but it sets a precedent for excluding certain benefits in means-tested programs.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection principles by addressing potential disparities in how disability income is treated for veterans versus other groups, without raising separation of powers issues.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan support for veterans' issues, potentially encouraging similar exclusions in other federal aid programs. The report provision promotes accountability and could spark debates on expanding veteran-friendly policies in housing and beyond, emphasizing service to military families.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-20: Became Public Law No: 119-70.
- 2026-01-20: Became Public Law No: 119-70.
- 2026-01-20: Signed by President.
- 2026-01-20: Signed by President.
- 2026-01-13: Presented to President.
- 2026-01-13: Presented to President.
- 2026-01-07: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-01-06: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S52)
- 2026-01-06: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-01-06: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-01-06: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-02-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-02-10: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-10: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H593)
- 2025-02-10: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H593)
Bill Versions
- Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act — issued 2025-02-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act — issued 2026-01-08 — PDF (2 pages)
- Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act — issued 2025-01-07 — PDF (3 pages)
- Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (3 pages)