S 1084 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

April 10, 2007

Mr. REID (for Mr. OBAMA (for himself, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. BROWN, and Ms. CANTWELL)) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Homes for Heroes Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS IN OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There shall be in the Department a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, who shall be in the Office of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) APPOINTMENT- The Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs shall be appointed based solely on merit and shall be covered under the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) RESPONSIBILITIES- The Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs shall be responsible for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) ensuring veterans have access to housing and homeless assistance under each program of the Department providing either such assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) coordinating all programs and activities of the Department relating to veterans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) serving as a liaison for the Department with the Department of Veterans Affairs, including establishing and maintaining relationships with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) serving as a liaison for the Department, and establishing and maintaining relationships with officials of State, local, regional, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with veterans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) providing information and advice regarding--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) sponsoring housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the Department; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) assisting veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs administered by the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) administering the technical assistance grants program under section 7 of the Homes for Heroes Act of 2006;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) preparing the annual report under section 8 of such Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(H) carrying out such other duties as may be assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or by law.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES.

(a) Purpose- The purposes of this section are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to expand the supply of permanent housing for very low-income veteran families; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to provide supportive services through such housing to support the needs of such veteran families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Authority-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to the extent amounts are made available for assistance under this section and the Secretary receives approvable applications for such assistance, provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NATURE OF ASSISTANCE- The assistance provided under paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) shall be available for use to plan for and finance the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of a structure or a portion of a structure to be used as supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in accordance with this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) may also cover the cost of real property acquisition, site improvement, conversion, demolition, relocation, and other expenses that the Secretary determines are necessary to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONSULTATION- In meeting the requirement of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, as such Special Assistant was established under section 4(g) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Forms of Assistance- Assistance under this section shall be made available in the following forms:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Assistance may be provided as a grant for costs of planning a project to be used as supportive housing for very low-income veteran families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Assistance may be provided as a capital advance under this paragraph for a project, such advance shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) bear no interest;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) not be required to be repaid so long as the housing remains available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families in accordance with this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) be in an amount calculated in accordance with the development cost limitation established pursuant to subsection (j).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Assistance may be provided as project rental assistance, under an annual contract that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) obligates the Secretary to make monthly payments to cover any part of the costs attributed to units occupied (or, as approved by the Secretary, held for occupancy) by very low-income veteran families that is not met from project income;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provides for the project not more than the sum of the initial annual project rentals for all units so occupied and any initial utility allowances for such units, as approved by the Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) any contract amounts not used by a project in any year shall remain available to the project until the expiration of the contract; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) provides that the Secretary shall, to the extent appropriations for such purpose are made available, adjust the annual contract amount if the sum of the project income and the amount of assistance payments available under this paragraph are inadequate to provide for reasonable project costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Tenant Rent Contribution- A very low-income veteran family shall pay as rent for a dwelling unit assisted under this section the highest of the following amounts, rounded to the nearest dollar:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 30 percent of the veteran family's adjusted monthly income.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 10 percent of the veteran family's monthly income.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) If the veteran family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency and a part of such payments, adjusted in accordance with the veteran family's actual housing costs, is specifically designated by such agency to meet the veteran family's housing costs, the portion of such payments which is so designated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Term of Commitment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) USE LIMITATIONS- All units in housing assisted under this section shall be made available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families for not less than 15 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTRACT TERMS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) INITIAL TERM- The initial term of a contract entered into under subsection (c)(2) shall be 60 months.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) EXTENSION- The Secretary shall, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, extend any expiring contract for a term of not less than 12 months.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY TO MAKE EARLY COMMITMENTS- In order to facilitate the orderly extension of expiring contracts, the Secretary may make commitments to extend expiring contracts during the year prior to the date of expiration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Applications-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Amounts made available under this section shall be allocated by the Secretary among approvable applications submitted by private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENT OF APPLICATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Applications for assistance under this section shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REQUIRED CONTENT- Applications for assistance under this section shall contain--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a description of the proposed housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a description of the assistance the applicant seeks under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) a description of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the supportive services to be provided to the persons occupying such housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) the manner in which such services will be provided to such persons, including, in the case of frail elderly persons (as such term is defined in section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q)), evidence of such residential supervision as the Secretary determines is necessary to facilitate the adequate provision of such services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) the public or private sources of assistance that can reasonably be expected to fund or provide such services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) a certification from the public official responsible for submitting a housing strategy for the jurisdiction to be served in accordance with section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705) that the proposed project is consistent with the approved housing strategy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) such other information or certifications that the Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REJECTION- The Secretary shall not reject any application for assistance under this section on technical grounds without giving notice of that rejection and the basis therefore to the applicant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Selection Criteria- The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for assistance under this section, which shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) criteria based upon--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the ability of the applicant to develop and operate the proposed housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the need for supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in the area to be served;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the extent to which the proposed size and unit mix of the housing will enable the applicant to manage and operate the housing efficiently and ensure that the provision of supportive services will be accomplished in an economical fashion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the extent to which the proposed design of the housing will meet the physical needs of very low-income veteran families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the extent to which the applicant has demonstrated that the supportive services identified pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(B)(iii) will be provided on a consistent, long-term basis;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) the extent to which the proposed design of the housing will accommodate the provision of supportive services that are expected to be needed, either initially or over the useful life of the housing, by the very low-income veterans the housing is intended to serve; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that funds made available under this section are used effectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) a preference in such selection for applications proposing housing to be reserved for occupancy by very low-income veteran families who are homeless (as such term is defined in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) criteria appropriate to consider the need for supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in nonmetropolitan areas and by Indian tribes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Provision of Supportive Services to Veteran Families-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans or veteran families includes a range of services tailored to the needs of the very low-income veteran families occupying such housing, which may include services for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) outreach;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) health (including counseling, mental health, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury) diagnosis and treatment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) habilitation and rehabilitation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) case management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) daily living;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) personal financial planning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) transportation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) vocation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) employment and training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) assistance in obtaining veterans benefits and public benefits, including health and medical care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) assistance in obtaining income support;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) assistance in obtaining health insurance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(N) fiduciary and representative payee;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(O) legal aid;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(P) child care;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(Q) housing counseling;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(R) service coordination; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(S) other services necessary for maintaining independent living.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LOCAL COORDINATION OF SERVICES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall ensure that owners of housing assisted under this section have the managerial capacity to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) assess on an ongoing basis the service needs of residents;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) coordinate the provision of supportive services and tailor such services to the individual needs of residents; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) seek on a continuous basis new sources of assistance to ensure the long-term provision of supportive services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CLASSIFICATION OF COSTS- Any cost associated with this subsection shall be an eligible cost under subsections (c)(3) and (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Financial Assistance for Services-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent amounts are available for assistance under this subsection, provide financial assistance for the provision of supportive services, and for coordinating the provision of such services, to very low-income veteran families occupying assisted housing. Such assistance shall be made through payments to owners of such housing for each resident of the housing based on the formula established under paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FORMULA- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a formula to determine the rate of the payments to be provided under this subsection. The formula shall determine a rate for each resident of the housing assisted under this section (which shall be adjusted not less than annually to take into consideration changes in the cost of living).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out this subsection amounts as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) For fiscal year 2008, $25,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) For each fiscal year after fiscal year 2008, such sums as may be necessary for such fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) AVAILABILITY- Amounts authorized to be appropriated by subparagraph (A) shall remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Development Cost Limitations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall periodically establish development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families by publishing a notice of the cost limitations in the Federal Register.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSIDERATIONS- The cost limitations established under paragraph (1) shall reflect--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the cost of construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families that meets applicable State and local housing and building codes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the cost of movables necessary to the basic operation of the housing, as determined by the Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the cost of special design features necessary to make the housing accessible to very low-income veteran families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the cost of congregate space necessary to accommodate the provision of supportive services to veteran families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) if the housing is newly constructed, the cost of meeting the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12709); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) the cost of land, including necessary site improvement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) USE OF DATA- In establishing development cost limitations for a given market area under this subsection, the Secretary shall use data that reflect currently prevailing costs of construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation, and land acquisition in the area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) CONGREGATE SPACE- For purposes of paragraph (1), a congregate space shall include space for cafeterias or dining halls, community rooms or buildings, workshops, child care, adult day health facilities or other outpatient health facilities, or other essential service facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) COMMERCIAL FACILITIES- Neither this section nor any other provision of law may be construed as prohibiting or preventing the location and operation, in a project assisted under this section, of commercial facilities for the benefit of residents of the project and the community in which the project is located, except that assistance made available under this section may not be used to subsidize any such commercial facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) ACQUISITION- In the case of existing housing and related facilities to be acquired, the cost limitations shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the cost of acquiring such housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the cost of rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement, including the moderate or substantial rehabilitation thereof; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the cost of the land on which the housing and related facilities are located.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS- The Secretary shall adjust the cost limitation not less than annually to reflect changes in the general level of construction, reconstruction, and moderate and substantial rehabilitation costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) INCENTIVES FOR SAVINGS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) SPECIAL HOUSING ACCOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall use the development cost limitations established under paragraph (1) or (6) to calculate the amount of financing to be made available to individual owners.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) ACTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL COSTS LESS THAN FINANCING- Owners which incur actual development costs that are less than the amount of financing shall be entitled to retain 50 percent of the savings in a special housing account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) BONUS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY- The percentage established under clause (ii) shall be increased to 75 percent for owners which add energy efficiency features which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) exceed the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12709);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) substantially reduce the life-cycle cost of the housing; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) reduce gross rent requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) USES- The special housing account established under subparagraph (A) may be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to provide services to residents of the housing or funds set aside for replacement reserves; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) for such other purposes as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) DESIGN FLEXIBILITY- The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, give owners the flexibility to design housing appropriate to their location and proposed resident population within broadly defined parameters.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) USE OF FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES- An owner shall be permitted voluntarily to provide funds from sources other than this section for amenities and other features of appropriate design and construction suitable for supportive housing under this section if the cost of such amenities is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) not financed with the advance; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) is not taken into account in determining the amount of Federal assistance or of the rent contribution of tenants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Tenant Selection-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- An owner shall adopt written tenant selection procedures that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) satisfactory to the Secretary and which are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) consistent with the purpose of improving housing opportunities for very low-income veteran families; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) reasonably related to program eligibility and an applicant's ability to perform the obligations of the lease; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) compliant with subtitle C of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13601 et seq.) and any regulations issued under such subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) NOTIFICATION OF REJECTION- Owners shall promptly notify in writing any rejected applicant of the grounds for any rejection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) INFORMATION REGARDING HOUSING-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, information regarding the availability of the housing assisted under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH ADDITIONAL AGENCIES- Within 30 days of receipt of the information, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Labor shall provide such information to agencies in the area of the housing that receive assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor for providing medical care, housing, supportive services or employment and training services to homeless veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(l) Miscellaneous Provisions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- The Secretary shall make available appropriate technical assistance to ensure that prospective applicants are able to participate more fully in the program carried out under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE- Each owner shall certify, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that assistance made available under this section will be conducted and administered in conformity with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.), the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), and other Federal, State, and local laws prohibiting discrimination and promoting equal opportunity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) OWNER DEPOSIT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall require an owner of housing, assisted under this section, to deposit an amount not to exceed $15,000 in a special escrow account to ensure the owner's commitment to the housing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REDUCTION OF REQUIREMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may reduce or waive the owner deposit specified under subparagraph (A) for individual applicants if the Secretary finds that such waiver or reduction is necessary to achieve the purposes of this section and the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has the capacity to manage and maintain the housing in accordance with this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) NONPROFITS- The Secretary may reduce or waive the requirement of the owner deposit under subparagraph (A) in the case of a nonprofit applicant that is not affiliated with a national sponsor, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) NOTICE OF APPEAL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall notify an owner not less than 30 days prior to canceling any reservation of assistance provided under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPEAL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) FILING DEADLINE- During the 30-day period following the receipt of any notice required under subparagraph (A), an owner may appeal the proposed cancellation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) TIMING OF DECISION- Any appeal undertaken under clause (i), including review by the Secretary, shall be completed not later than 45 days after the appeal is filed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) LABOR-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the construction of housing with 12 or more units assisted under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than the rates prevailing in the locality involved for the corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on construction of a similar character, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) EXEMPTION- Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any individual who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) performs services for which the individual volunteered;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) does not receive compensation for such services or is paid expenses, reasonable benefits, or a nominal fee for such services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) is not otherwise employed at any time in the construction work.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) ACCESS TO RESIDUAL RECEIPTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall authorize the owner of a housing project assisted under this section to use any residual receipts held for the project in excess of $500 per unit (or in excess of such other amount prescribed by the Secretary based on the needs of the project) for activities to retrofit and renovate the project as described under section 802(d)(3) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8011(d)(3)) or to provide supportive services to residents of the project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) REPORT- Any owner that uses residual receipts under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary a report, not less than annually, describing the uses of the residual receipts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT- In determining the amount of project rental assistance to be provided to a project under subsection (c)(3) of this section, the Secretary may take into consideration the residual receipts held for the project only if, and to the extent that, excess residual receipts are not used under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) OCCUPANCY STANDARDS AND OBLIGATIONS- Each owner shall operate housing assisted under this section in compliance with subtitle C of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13601 et seq.) and any regulations issued under such subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) USE OF PROJECT RESERVES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Amounts for project reserves for a project assisted under this section may be used for costs, subject to reasonable limitations as the Secretary determines appropriate, for reducing the number of dwelling units in the project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPROVAL OF SECRETARY REQUIRED- Any use described in subparagraph (A) of amounts for project reserves for a project assisted under this section shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary to ensure that such use is designed to retrofit units that are currently obsolete or unmarketable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(m) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions shall apply:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) CONSUMER COOPERATIVE- The term `consumer cooperative' has the same meaning given such term for purposes of the supportive housing for the elderly program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILY- The term `very low-income veteran family' means a veteran family whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary may establish an income ceiling higher or lower than 50 percent of the median for the area on the basis of the Secretary's findings that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market rents (as determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)), or unusually high or low family incomes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) OWNER- The term `owner' means a private nonprofit organization or consumer cooperative that receives assistance under this section to develop and operate supportive housing for very low-income veteran families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION- The term `private nonprofit organization' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) any incorporated private institution or foundation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) which has a governing board that is responsible for the operation of the housing assisted under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) which is approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a for-profit limited partnership the sole general partner of which is an organization meeting the requirements under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization meeting the requirements under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) a tribally designated housing entity, as such term is defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, except where specifically provided otherwise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) STATE- The term `State' includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES- The term `supportive housing for very low-income veteran families' means housing that is designed to accommodate the provision of supportive services that are expected to be needed, either initially or over the useful life of the housing, by the veteran families that the housing is intended to serve.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) VETERAN- The term `veteran' has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) VETERAN FAMILY- The term `veteran family' includes a veteran who is a single person, a family (including families with children) whose head of household (or whose spouse) is a veteran, and one or more veterans living together with 1 or more persons.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(n) Allocation of Funds- Of any amounts made available for assistance under this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PLANNING GRANTS- Not more than 2.5 percent shall be available for planning grants in accordance with subsection (c)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CAPITAL ADVANCES- Such sums as may be necessary shall be available for capital advances in accordance with subsection (c)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PROJECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE- Such sums as may be necessary shall be available for project rental assistance in accordance with subsection (c)(3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- Not more than 1 percent shall be available for technical assistance in accordance with subsection (l)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(o) Authorization of Appropriations for Housing Assistance- There is authorized to be appropriated for assistance under this section $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

Section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(19) RENTAL VOUCHERS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) ADDITIONAL VOUCHERS- In addition to any amount made available for rental assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall make available the amount specified in subparagraph (B), for use only for providing rental assistance for homeless veterans in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) AMOUNT- The amount specified in this subparagraph is, for each fiscal year, the amount necessary to provide not fewer than 20,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) FUNDING- The budget authority made available under any other provisions of law for rental assistance under this subsection for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter is authorized to be increased in each such fiscal year by such sums as may be necessary to provide the number of vouchers specified in subparagraph (B) for such fiscal year.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. INCLUSION OF VETERANS IN HOUSING PLANNING.

(a) Public Housing Agency Plans- Section 5A(d)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(d)(1)) is amended by striking `and disabled families' and inserting `, disabled families, and veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code)'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategies-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting `veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code),' after `acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subsection (b)(20), by striking `and service' and inserting `veterans service, and other service'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subsection (e)(1), by inserting `veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code),' after `homeless persons,'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSOLIDATED PLANS- The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise the regulations relating to submission of consolidated plans (part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations) in accordance with the amendments made by paragraph (1) of this subsection to require inclusion of appropriate information relating to veterans and veterans service agencies in all such plans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. EXCLUSION OF VETERANS BENEFITS FROM ASSISTED HOUSING RENT CONSIDERATIONS.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of determining the amount of rent paid by a family for occupancy of a dwelling unit assisted under a federally assisted housing program under subsection (b) or in housing assisted under any other federally assisted housing program, the income and the adjusted income of the family shall not be considered to include any amounts received by any member of the family from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) compensation, as such term is defined in section 101(13) of title 38, United States Code;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) dependency and indemnity compensation, as such term is defined in section 101(14) of such title; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) a pension, as such term is defined in section 101(15) of such title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Federally Assisted Housing Program- The federally assisted housing programs under this subsection are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the public housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the tenant-based rental assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), including the program under subsection (o)(19) of such section for housing rental vouchers for low-income veteran families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the project-based rental assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the program for housing opportunities for persons with AIDS under subtitle D of title VIII of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the supportive housing for the elderly program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the supportive housing for persons with disabilities program under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the supportive housing for the homeless program under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) the program for moderate rehabilitation of single room occupancy dwellings for occupancy by the homeless under section 441 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11401);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) the shelter plus care for the homeless program under subtitle F of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11403 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) the supportive housing for very low-income veteran families program under section 3 of this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) the rental assistance payments program under section 521(a)(2)(A) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(a)(2)(A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) the rental assistance program under section 236 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) the rural housing programs under section 515 and 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485, 1490p-2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) the HOME investment partnerships program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) the block grant programs for affordable housing for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians under titles I through IV and VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq., 4221 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) the low-income housing tax credit program under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(17) any other program for housing assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture under which eligibility for occupancy in the housing assisted or for housing assistance is based upon income.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to the extent amounts are made available in appropriation Acts for grants under this section, make grants to eligible entities under subsection (b) to provide to nonprofit organizations technical assistance appropriate to assist such organizations in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) sponsoring housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) fulfilling the planning and application processes and requirements necessary under such programs administered by the Department; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) assisting veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs administered by the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Eligible Entities- An eligible entity under this subsection is a nonprofit entity or organization having such expertise as the Secretary shall require in providing technical assistance to providers of services for veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Selection of Grant Recipients- The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish criteria for selecting applicants for grants under this section to receive such grants and shall select applicants based upon such criteria.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Funding- Of any amounts made available in fiscal year 2008 or any fiscal year thereafter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for salaries and expenses, $1,000,000 shall be available, and shall remain available until expended, for grants under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. ANNUAL REPORT ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS.

(a) In General- Not later than December 31 each year, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall submit a report on the activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to veterans during such year to the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Contents- Each report required under subsection (a) shall include the following information with respect to the year for which the report is submitted:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The number of very low-income veteran families provided assistance under the program of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families under section 3, the socioeconomic characteristics of such families, the types of assistance provided such families, and the number, types, and locations of owners of housing assisted under such section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The number of homeless veterans provided assistance under the program of housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) (as amended by section 4), the socioeconomic characteristics of such homeless veterans, and the number, types, and locations of entities contracted under such section to administer the vouchers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) A summary description of the special considerations made for veterans under public housing agency plans submitted pursuant to section 5A of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1) and under comprehensive housing affordability strategies submitted pursuant to section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) A description of the technical assistance provided to organizations pursuant to grants under section 7.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) A description of the activities of the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) A description of the efforts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate the delivery of housing and services to veterans with other Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Social Security Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The cost to the Department of Housing and Urban Development of administering the programs and activities relating to veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Any other information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the programs and activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to veterans .CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Assessment of Housing Needs of Very Low-Income Veteran Families-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- For the first report submitted pursuant to subsection (a) and every fifth report thereafter, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) conduct an assessment of the housing needs of very low-income veteran families (as such term is defined in section 3); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) shall include in each such report findings regarding such assessment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENT- Each assessment under this subsection shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) conducting a survey of, and direct interviews with, a representative sample of very low-income veteran families (as such term is defined in section 3) to determine past and current--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) socioeconomic characteristics of such veteran families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) barriers to such veteran families obtaining safe, quality, and affordable housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) levels of homelessness among such veteran families; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) levels and circumstances of, and barriers to, receipt by such veteran families of rental housing and homeownership assistance; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) such other information that the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and national nongovernmental organizations concerned with veterans, homelessness, and very low-income housing, may be useful to the assessment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONDUCT- If the Secretary contracts with an entity other than the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct the assessment under this subsection, such entity shall be a nongovernmental organization determined by the Secretary to have appropriate expertise in quantitative and qualitative social science research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) FUNDING- Of any amounts made available pursuant to section 501 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1701z-1) for programs of research, studies, testing, or demonstration relating to the mission or programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for any fiscal year in which an assessment under this subsection is required pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, $1,000,000 shall be available until expended for costs of the assessment under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink