S 1547 IRCSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend title 38, United States Code, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to enhance and expand the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 30, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. BOND, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. KERRY, and Mr. DURBIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Committee discharged; referred to the Committee on Veterans’ AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend title 38, United States Code, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to enhance and expand the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, and for other purposes.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 ‘Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) veterans are at a greater risk of becoming homeless than other people in the United States, because of characteristics that include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) having employment-related skills that are unique to military service and that can be difficult to transfer to the civilian sector;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) combat-related health issues;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) earning minimal income or being unemployed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) a shortage of safe, affordable housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) more than 200,000 veterans experience homelessness each year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) veterans account for nearly 1/5 of all homeless people in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) approximately 1,500,000 veterans, nearly 6.3 percent of the veterans in the United States, have an income that falls below the Federal poverty level, and approximately 634,000 veterans have an income below 50 percent of the Federal poverty level;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the Department of Veterans Affairs is only adequately funded to respond to the health, housing, and supportive services needs of approximately 1/3 of the veterans in the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) it is expected that significant increases in services will be needed to serve the aging veterans of the Vietnam war and members of the Armed Forces returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. PROGRAM ON PREVENTION OF VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

(a) Program on Prevention of Veteran Homelessness-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subchapter VII of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘Sec. 2067. Prevention of veteran homelessness

‘(a) Prevention of Veteran Homelessness- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a program within the Veterans Benefits Administration to prevent veteran homelessness by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) identifying in a timely fashion any veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) providing assistance sufficient to ensure that each veteran identified under paragraph (1) does not become or remain homeless.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Types of Assistance- The assistance provided under subsection (a)(2) may include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The provision of short-term or medium-term rental assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Housing relocation and stabilization services, including housing search, mediation, and outreach to property owners.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Services to resolve personal credit issues that have led to negative credit reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Assistance with paying security or utility deposits and utility payments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Assistance with covering costs associated with moving.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) A referral to a program of another department or agency of the Federal Government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) Such other activities as the Secretary considers appropriate to prevent veterans homelessness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) No Duplication of Services- The Secretary may provide assistance under subsection (a)(2) to a veteran receiving supportive services from an eligible entity receiving financial assistance under section 2044 of this title only to the extent that the assistance provided under subsection (a)(2) does not duplicate the supportive services provided to such veteran by such entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Staffing- The Secretary shall assign such employees at such locations as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘2067. Prevention of veteran homelessness.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Responsibilities of Homeless Veterans Program Coordinators- Section 2003(a) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘The housing’ and inserting ‘Any housing’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) The program under section 2067 of this title.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the establishment of the program required by section 2067 of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of such program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.

(a) Enhancement of Grants- Section 2011 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the’ and inserting ‘The’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting ‘new construction,’ before ‘expansion’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (c)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘A grant’ and inserting ‘(1) A grant’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as designated by subparagraph (A), by striking ‘The amount’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The amount’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an entity that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a project described in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis that the entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, if the entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide oversight and site control for the project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘private nonprofit organization’ means the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or foundation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance to receive, tax-exempt status under paragraphs (2), (3), or (19) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the institution or foundation inures to the benefit of any member, founder, or contributor of the institution or foundation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) that the Secretary determines is financially responsible.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited liability company, the sole general partner of which is an organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) of clause (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) of clause (i).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Study and Report on Per Diem Payments-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF PAYMENT METHOD- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) complete a study of all matters relating to the method used by the Secretary to make per diem payments under section 2012(a) of title 38, United States Code; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) develop an improved method for adequately reimbursing recipients of grants under section 2011 of such title for services furnished to homeless veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSIDERATION- In developing the method required by paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may consider payments and grants received by recipients of grants described in such paragraph from other departments and agencies of Federal and local governments and from private entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REPORT- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the method developed under subparagraph (B) of such paragraph; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) any recommendations of the Secretary for revising the method described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph and any legislative action the Secretary considers necessary to implement such method.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization of Appropriations- Section 2013 of such title is amended by striking ‘subchapter $150,000,000’ and all that follows through the period and inserting the following: ‘subchapter--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING VOUCHERS.

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





‘(19) RENTAL VOUCHERS FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) RENTAL VOUCHERS- The Secretary shall make available to public housing agencies described in subparagraph (C) the amounts described in subparagraph (B), to provide rental assistance through a supported housing program administered in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) AMOUNT- The amounts specified in this subparagraph are the amounts necessary to ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) not more than 30,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this paragraph are outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 2010;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) not more than 40,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this paragraph are outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 2011;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) not more than 50,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this paragraph are outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 2012; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) not more than 60,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this paragraph are outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES- A public housing agency described in this subparagraph is a public housing agency that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) has a partnership with a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center or an entity determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) is located in an area that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines has a high concentration of veterans in need of assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) has demonstrated expertise in providing housing for homeless individuals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) meets any other criteria that the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) CASE MANAGEMENT- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the case managers described in section 2003(b) of title 38, United States Code, provide appropriate case management for each veteran who receives rental assistance under this paragraph that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) assists the veteran in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) locating available housing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) working with the appropriate public housing agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) accessing benefits and health services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal Government;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(IV) negotiating with landlords; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(V) other areas, as the Secretary determines is necessary to help the veteran maintain housing or avoid homelessness; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) ensures that a veteran with a severe disability, including a veteran that has been homeless for a substantial period of time, is referred to sufficient supportive services to provide the veteran with stable housing, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) mental health services, including treatment and recovery support services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) substance abuse treatment and recovery support services, including counseling, treatment planning, recovery coaching, and relapse prevention;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) integrated, coordinated treatment and recovery support services for co-occurring disorders;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(IV) health education, including referrals for medical and dental care;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(V) services designed to help individuals make progress toward self-sufficiency and recovery, including job training, assistance in seeking employment, benefits advocacy, money management, life-skills training, self-help programs, and engagement and motivational interventions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(VI) parental skills and family support; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(VII) other supportive services that promote an end to chronic homelessness.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. 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 by the Secretary, 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 that veterans have access to housing and homeless assistance under each program of the Department providing such assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





‘(C) carrying out such other duties as may be assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or by law.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. HOMELESS VETERANS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

(a) In General- Subchapter VII of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 3(b), is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘Sec. 2068. Homeless Veterans Management Information System

‘(a) Method for Data Collection and Aggregation- (1) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness established under section 201 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11311), establish a method for the collection and aggregation of data on homeless veterans participating in programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The age, race, sex, disability status, marital status of the veteran, income, employment history, and whether the veteran is a parent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) If the veteran received housing assistance, the number of days that the veteran resided in such housing, and the type of housing in which the veteran resided.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) If the veteran is no longer participating in a program, the reason the veteran left the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The method required by paragraph (1) shall be established in a manner that ensures that each veteran is counted only once.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Annual Data Collection and Aggregation- Not later than one year after the method is established under subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall collect and aggregate data using the method established under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Annual Reports- Not later than two years after the date of enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the data collected and aggregated under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘2068. Homeless Veterans Management Information System.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. PLAN TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans that includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an analysis of programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal Government that are designed to prevent homelessness among veterans and assist veterans who are homeless;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) an evaluation of whether and how partnerships between the programs described in paragraph (1) would contribute to ending homelessness among veterans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) recommendations for improving the programs described in paragraph (1), creating partnerships between such programs, or eliminating programs that are no longer effective;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) recommendations for new programs to prevent and end homelessness among veterans, including an estimation of the cost of such programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) a timeline for implementing the plan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) such other information as the Secretary determines necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Consideration of Veterans Located in Rural Areas- The analysis, evaluation, and recommendations included in the report required by subsection (a) shall include consideration of the circumstances and requirements that are unique to veterans located in rural areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink