It would give more veterans the ability to receive housing benefits that they were unable to access under current law because of aid and attendance benefits received from the VA — which are intended to be used for medical care, but have been considered as income by HUD.
What is House Bill H.R. 1816?
Impact
Cost of House Bill H.R. 1816
More Information
Of Note:
Veterans comprise as much as 12 percent of the total homeless population in the U.S., and there are an estimated 1.4 million who are considered to be at risk of homelessness because of poverty, and substandard housing conditions, among other conditions.
A similar version of this bill was passed by the House through a voice vote in October 2013, but it failed to advance from Committee in the Senate during the 113th Congress. That version of the bill also would have covered utility expenses -- preventing those from being counted as part of a veteran's income.
Media:
- Sponsoring Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) Press Release (Previous Version)
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Context)
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (Context)
(Photo Credit: NPR)
AKA
Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2015
Official Title
To exclude from consideration as income under the United States Housing Act of 1937 payments of pension made under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code, to veterans who are in need of regular aid and attendance.
bill Progress
- Not enactedThe President has not signed this bill
- The senate has not voted
- senate Committees
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs - The house Passed May 18th, 2015Passed by Voice Vote
- house Committees
Committee on Financial ServicesIntroducedApril 15th, 2015