Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1415
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2565-2566)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T17:28:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act" (S. 1415) aims to help disabled veterans access supported housing programs by excluding certain disability benefits from income calculations used to determine eligibility. This change targets barriers faced by unhoused veterans, allowing their benefits to not count against qualification for rental assistance.
Key Provisions
- Exclusion in Supported Housing Program: Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exclude disability benefits received by veterans under chapters 11 (compensation) or 15 (pension) of title 38, United States Code (the law governing veterans' benefits), from "income" when assessing eligibility for the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19). This exclusion applies only to initial income eligibility, not to "adjusted income" (a modified calculation that may include deductions).
- Application to Other Housing Assistance: For households receiving rental assistance under the supported housing program, the same disability benefits exclusion applies when determining eligibility for additional types of housing aid.
- Treatment for Units on Department Property: When evaluating a veteran's eligibility to rent a residential unit built on or after the bill's enactment on property owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must exclude these disability benefits from income calculations for any HUD-administered housing assistance program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds two new clauses (iv and v) to section 3(b)(4)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, specifically targeting veteran disability benefits for exclusion in the supported housing context. Previously, these benefits were counted as income, potentially disqualifying some veterans.
- Introduces a new requirement in Section 3 for HUD to apply the exclusion when dealing with VA-owned properties, which was not previously specified. This creates a targeted carve-out for post-enactment construction on such properties.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination between HUD (which administers housing programs) and the VA (which provides disability benefits and owns relevant properties). 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 improving their chances of qualifying for subsidized housing, reducing homelessness among this group. It could lead to more veterans securing stable housing without their benefits reducing eligibility.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. housing and veterans' policies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Disabled Veterans: Direct beneficiaries, especially those who are unhoused or at risk, as the changes protect their disability income from affecting housing eligibility.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Responsible for implementing exclusions in housing programs and eligibility determinations.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Involved through its property ownership and benefit programs; the bill aligns housing access with VA support services.
- Housing Authorities and Nonprofits: Local entities administering Section 8 programs may see increased applications from veterans and need to adjust income assessments.
- Veteran Advocacy Groups: Organizations like those supporting homeless veterans could advocate for or assist in implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens existing veteran protections under federal housing law by creating a specific, narrow exclusion, which could set a precedent for similar benefits in other assistance programs. It maintains the distinction between "income" (for basic eligibility) and "adjusted income" (for rent calculations), preserving program funding integrity.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; the bill supports equal protection for veterans, a group often granted preferential treatment in federal law, without infringing on rights.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by senators from both parties) highlights broad consensus on veteran welfare. It addresses homelessness—a key policy issue—potentially influencing future housing legislation to prioritize vulnerable populations like disabled veterans.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2565-2566)
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (3 pages)