110th Congress Legislation: Homeless Veterans

In The House of Representatives

H.R. 2874, Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007

Introduced by: Michael Michaud (D-ME)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Action: Passed House July 30, 2007 (voice vote)

• Expands and extend authority for the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), a joint DOL and VA initiative authorized by Congress to assist incarcerated veterans in their reentry to the community.
• Authorizes the VA to make financial assistance available to nonprofit organizations to facilitate their provision of supportive services for very low-income veterans in permanent housing.
• Provides for permanent authority for domiciliary services for homeless veterans and enhances the VA’s capacity to provide domiciliary care for women veterans.
• Reduces from 60 to 30 the number of days required for homeless veterans to be enrolled for and receive care in a VA program in order to be eligible for dental services.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-2874
  
• CBO Report: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/84xx/doc8493/hr2874.pdf
  
• WashingtonWatch.com estimates this bill would cost the average individual $0.57

H.R. 3329, Homes for Heroes Act of 2007

Introduced by: Al Green (D-TX)
Referred to: House Committee on Financial Services
Action: House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity conducted a hearing on Affordable Housing needs of America’s Low Income Veterans on December 5, 2007; H.R. 3329 was discussed during the hearing.

• Would establish a supportive housing program for very low-income veterans, with housing assistance financed by HUD and supportive services financed by VA.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3329

H.R. 4161, Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

Introduced by: Al Green (D-TX)
Referred to: House Financial Services and House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health
Action: In Committee

• Would authorize a pilot housing program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veterans’ families from falling into homelessness.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-4161
  
• Related Bill(s): The Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act (S. 2330)

In The Senate

S. 1084, Homes for Heroes Act of 2007

Introduced by: Barack Obama (D-IL)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Action: In Committee

• Would establish a supportive housing program for very low-income veterans, with housing assistance financed by HUD and supportive services financed by VA.
  

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1084
  

S. 1233, Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Act of 2007

Introduced by: Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Referred to: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
Action: Reported out of Committee in July. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders

• Expands and extend authority for the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), a joint DOL and VA initiative authorized by Congress to assist incarcerated veterans in their reentry to the community.
• Authorizes the VA to make financial assistance available to nonprofit organizations to facilitate their provision of supportive services for very low-income veterans in permanent housing.
• Provides for permanent authority for domiciliary services for homeless veterans and enhance the VA’s capacity to provide domiciliary care for women veterans.
• Repeals authority for adjustments to per diem payments to homeless veteran service centers for receipt of other sources of income.
• Makes grant funds available to maintain adequate staffing for services in homeless veteran service centers.
• Requires VA to conduct a demonstration program to identify veterans at risk of becoming homeless after discharge or separation from the armed services and provides referral and counseling services to help prevent such veterans from becoming homeless.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1233
• CBO Report: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billreport.xpd?bill=s110-1233&type=cbo
• Related Bill: The Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 (H.R. 2199)

S. 2273, Enhanced Opportunities for Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Act of 2007

Introduced by: Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Action: In Committee

• To enhance the functioning and integration of formerly homeless veterans who reside in permanent housing.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2273
  

S. 2330, Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

Introduced by: Barack Obama (D-IL)
Referred to: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Action: In Committee

• Would authorize a pilot housing program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veterans’ families from falling into homelessness.

More Information:

• Bill Status (GovTrack): http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-2330
• Related Bill: H.R. 4161: Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act

--
Kudos to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for this list, to which I've added some information