Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 965
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T22:13:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (H.R. 965)
Purpose
This legislation aims to improve housing access for disabled veterans by excluding certain federal disability benefits from income calculations used to determine eligibility for specific housing assistance programs. By doing so, it seeks to prevent these benefits from disqualifying veterans from supported housing, particularly addressing homelessness among this group.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Income Exclusions: Updates Section 3(b)(4)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (a law governing public housing and rental assistance) by adding two new clauses:
- Clause (iv): For the supported housing program under Section 8(o)(19) (a HUD program providing rental assistance for people with disabilities, including veterans), excludes disability benefits received by veterans under Chapters 11 (compensation) or 15 (pension) of Title 38, U.S. Code (veterans' benefits laws). This exclusion does not apply to "adjusted income" (a broader income measure used in some housing calculations).
- Clause (v): For households receiving supported housing assistance under Section 8(o)(19), excludes the same veteran disability benefits when determining eligibility for other types of housing aid. Again, this does not apply to adjusted income.
- New Housing on Department Property: Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to exclude veteran disability benefits under Chapters 11 or 15 of Title 38 from income when assessing eligibility for veterans renting new residential units built on "Department property" (defined as property under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA). This applies only to units constructed on or after the bill's enactment and supported by HUD assistance programs not yet established at that time.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the list of income exclusions in the United States Housing Act of 1937 by redesignating existing clauses (iv) and (v) as (vi) and (vii), then inserting the new veteran-specific exclusions.
- Introduces a targeted rule for future housing developments on VA property, which previously did not explicitly address excluding these disability benefits in HUD-assisted programs.
- These changes build on existing protections for certain incomes (like foster care payments or student aid) but add a specific carve-out for veterans' disability compensation and pensions, which are non-taxable benefits intended to support disabled service members.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination between HUD (which administers housing programs) and the VA (which provides disability benefits and manages property). HUD may need to update eligibility guidelines and verification processes, potentially increasing administrative workload but streamlining access for veterans.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits disabled veterans by making it easier to qualify for subsidized housing without their benefits counting against income limits, which could reduce veteran homelessness. It may indirectly help their families or households receiving joint assistance.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. veterans' benefits and housing policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Disabled Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those who are unhoused or at risk, as the exclusions could improve their access to stable housing.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Responsible for implementing changes in rental assistance programs, including verification of benefits.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Involved through its property and disability benefit programs; may see reduced pressure on its own housing services.
- Housing Providers and Nonprofits: Entities offering supported housing under Section 8(o)(19) could serve more veterans, potentially increasing demand for units tailored to disabilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens protections under federal housing and veterans' laws by clarifying income exclusions, reducing potential disputes over benefit counting. It aligns with broader efforts to honor veterans' service without creating new entitlements, as exclusions are limited (e.g., not applying to adjusted income).
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; the bill respects equal protection by targeting a specific group (disabled veterans) with a rational basis tied to military service and disability support, consistent with precedents on veterans' preferences.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan priority on veteran welfare and homelessness reduction, potentially setting a precedent for further exclusions in social programs. It could influence future VA-HUD collaborations but may spark debate on program costs if more veterans qualify for assistance.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (46)
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]
Recent Actions
- 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 H603)
- 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 H603)
- 2025-02-10: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 965.
- 2025-02-10: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H603-605)
- 2025-02-10: Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act — issued 2025-02-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (3 pages)
- Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (3 pages)