S. 1714: Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act

The bill titled "Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act" proposes an amendment to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The main goal of this legislation is to change how service-connected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considered when determining a person's income status for housing assistance programs. Here are the key points:

Exclusion of Disability Compensation

The bill establishes that service-connected disability compensation should not be included when assessing whether an individual qualifies as:

• a person of low income
• a person of moderate income
• a person of low and moderate income

This means that if a veteran receives VA disability compensation, it will not count against them when determining their eligibility for various housing assistance programs. The intention is to ensure that these veterans have better access to housing support without their disability payments hindering their qualification status.

Reporting Requirement

The bill also mandates that within one year after it becomes law, the Comptroller General of the United States must submit a report to Congress. This report will:

• Examine how service-connected disability compensation is currently treated for eligibility in programs run by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• Identify any discrepancies in how this compensation is treated compared to the new rules proposed in this bill.
• Provide recommendations for legislative changes that could improve the effectiveness of HUD programs for veterans and underserved communities, based on the findings related to the treatment of disability compensation.

Impact on Housing Programs

By excluding disability compensation from income calculations, the bill aims to make housing more accessible for veterans with service-related disabilities. This adjustment could potentially expand the number of veterans qualifying for assistance, allowing them to secure more suitable housing options that meet their specific needs.

Implementation

This act would require states, local governments, and Indian tribes to implement the change regarding the treatment of disability compensation in their respective housing assistance programs. Consequently, it would lead to modifications in how these programs assess eligibility for housing aid and related benefits.

Conclusion of Summary

The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act seeks to enhance housing accessibility and ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities are not penalized in income assessments for housing programs, facilitating better living conditions for these individuals.

Relevant Companies

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