Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	561	n/a	n/a
Engrossed in House	2,241	8	86%
Referred in Senate	2,203	5 Show Changes Hide Changes	6%

Display Version Introduced in House Engrossed in House Referred in Senate

HR 6361 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2d SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 6361CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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, 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 ‘Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2012’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. EXCLUSION FROM INCOME.

Paragraph (4) of section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(4)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘and any amounts’ and inserting ‘, any amounts’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking ‘or any deferred’ and inserting ‘, any deferred’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after ‘prospective monthly amounts’ the following: ‘, and any expenses related to aid and attendance as detailed under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. UTILITY ALLOWANCES AND DATA.

Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) UTILITY ALLOWANCE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- In determining the monthly assistance payment for a family under subparagraphs (A) and (B), the amount allowed for tenant-paid utilities shall not exceed the appropriate utility allowance for the family unit size as determined by the public housing agency regardless of the size of the dwelling unit leased by the family.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN FAMILIES- Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), upon request by a family that includes a person with disabilities, an elderly family, or a family that includes any person who is less than 18 years of age, the public housing agency shall approve a utility allowance that is higher than the applicable amount on the utility allowance schedule, except that in the case of a family that includes a person with disabilities, the agency shall approve such higher amount only if a higher utility allowance is needed as a reasonable accommodation to make the program accessible to and usable by the family member with a disability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ALLOWANCE- Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in the case of any family not described in clause (ii), a public housing agency may, at the request of the family, approve a utility allowance that is higher than the applicable amount on the utility allowance schedule. In making such a determination, the agency shall consider (I) the amount of the increase in utility costs for the family, and (II) the difficulty for the family in relocating.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





‘(21) UTILITY DATA-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) PUBLICATION- The Secretary shall, to the extent that data can be collected cost effectively, regularly publish such data regarding utility consumption and costs in local areas as the Secretary determines will be useful for the establishment of allowances for tenant-paid utilities for families assisted under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) USE OF DATA- The Secretary shall provide such data in a manner that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) avoids unnecessary administrative burdens for public housing agencies and owners; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) protects families in various unit sizes and building types, and using various utilities, from high rent and utility cost burdens relative to income.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM FOR GRANTS FOR REHABILITATION AND MODIFICATION OF HOMES OF DISABLED AND LOW-INCOME VETERANS.

(a) Grant-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants to qualified organizations to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of eligible veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COORDINATION- The Secretary shall work in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and oversee the pilot program and to ensure that such program meets the needs of eligible veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MAXIMUM GRANT- A grant award under the pilot program to any one qualified organization shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any one fiscal year, and such an award shall remain available until expended by such organization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each qualified organization that desires a grant under the pilot program shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and, in addition to the information required under paragraph (2), accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENTS- Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a plan of action detailing outreach initiatives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the approximate number of veterans the qualified organization intends to serve using grant funds;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a description of the type of work that will be conducted, such as interior home modifications, energy efficiency improvements, and other similar categories of work; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) a plan for working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans service organizations to identify veterans and serve their needs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PREFERENCES- In awarding grants under the pilot program, the Secretary shall give preference to a qualified organization--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) with experience in providing housing rehabilitation and modification services for disabled veterans; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) that proposes to provide housing rehabilitation and modification services for eligible veterans who live in rural areas (the Secretary, through regulations, shall define the term ‘rural areas’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Criteria- In order to receive a grant award under the pilot program, a qualified organization shall meet the following criteria:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Demonstrate expertise in providing housing rehabilitation and modification services for disabled or low-income individuals for the purpose of making the homes of such individuals accessible, functional, and safe for such individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Have established outreach initiatives that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) would engage eligible veterans and veterans service organizations in projects utilizing grant funds under the pilot program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) identify eligible veterans and their families and enlist veterans involved in skilled trades, such as carpentry, roofing, plumbing, or HVAC work.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Have an established nationwide or State-wide network of affiliates that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) nonprofit organizations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) able to provide housing rehabilitation and modification services for eligible veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Have experience in successfully carrying out the accountability and reporting requirements involved in the proper administration of grant funds, including funds provided by private entities or Federal, State, or local government entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Use of Funds- A grant award under the pilot program shall be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to modify and rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible veteran, and may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) installing wheelchair ramps, widening exterior and interior doors, reconfigurating and re-equipping bathrooms (which includes installing new fixtures and grab bars), removing doorway thresholds, installing special lighting, adding additional electrical outlets and electrical service, and installing appropriate floor coverings to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) accommodate the functional limitations that result from having a disability; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) if such residence does not have modifications necessary to reduce the chances that an elderly, but not disabled person, will fall in their home, reduce the risks of such an elderly person from falling;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) rehabilitating such residence that is in a state of interior or exterior disrepair; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) installing energy efficient features or equipment if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) an eligible veteran’s monthly utility costs for such residence is more than 5 percent of such veteran’s monthly income; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) an energy audit of such residence indicates that the installation of energy efficient features or equipment will reduce such costs by 10 percent or more;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in connection with modification and rehabilitation services provided under the pilot program, to provide technical, administrative, and training support to an affiliate of a qualified organization receiving a grant under such pilot program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) for other purposes as the Secretary may prescribe through regulations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Oversight- The Secretary shall direct the oversight of the grant funds for the pilot program so that such funds are used efficiently until expended to fulfill the purpose of addressing the adaptive housing needs of eligible veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Matching Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- A qualified organization receiving a grant under the pilot program shall contribute towards the housing modification and rehabilitation services provided to eligible veterans an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the grant award received by such organization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS- In order to meet the requirement under paragraph (1), such organization may arrange for in-kind contributions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Limitation Cost to the Veterans- A qualified organization receiving a grant under the pilot program shall modify or rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible veteran at no cost to such veteran (including application fees) or at a cost such that such veteran pays no more than 30 percent of his or her income in housing costs during any month.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Reports-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ANNUAL REPORT- The Secretary shall submit to Congress, on an annual basis, a report that provides, with respect to the year for which such report is written--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the number of eligible veterans provided assistance under the pilot program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the socioeconomic characteristics of such veterans, including their gender, age, race, and ethnicity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the total number, types, and locations of entities contracted under such program to administer the grant funding;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the amount of matching funds and in-kind contributions raised with each grant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) a description of the housing rehabilitation and modification services provided, costs saved, and actions taken under such program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) a description of the outreach initiatives implemented by the Secretary to educate the general public and eligible entities about such program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) a description of the outreach initiatives instituted by grant recipients to engage eligible veterans and veteran service organizations in projects utilizing grant funds under such program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) a description of the outreach initiatives instituted by grant recipients to identify eligible veterans and their families; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) any other information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing such program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FINAL REPORT- Not later than 6 months after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that provides such information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(1) DISABLED- The term ‘disabled’ means an individual with a disability, as defined by section 12102 of title 42, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBLE VETERAN- The term ‘eligible veteran’ means a disabled or low-income veteran.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ENERGY EFFICIENT FEATURES OR EQUIPMENT- The term ‘energy efficient features or equipment’ means features of, or equipment in, a primary residence that help reduce the amount of electricity used to heat, cool, or ventilate such residence, including insulation, weatherstripping, air sealing, heating system repairs, duct sealing, or other measures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) LOW-INCOME VETERAN- The term ‘low-income veteran’ means a veteran whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for an area, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION- The term ‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization that is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) PRIMARY RESIDENCE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘primary residence’ means a single family house, a duplex, or a unit within a multiple-dwelling structure that is an eligible veteran’s principal dwelling and is owned by such veteran or a family member of such veteran.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) FAMILY MEMBER DEFINED- For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘family member’ includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a spouse of such a child, grandchild, parent, or sibling; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with a veteran is the equivalent of a family relationship.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION- The term ‘qualified organization’ means a nonprofit organization that provides nationwide or State-wide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) VETERAN- The term ‘veteran’ has the same meaning as given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION- The term ‘veterans service organization’ means any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives September 19, 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

112th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6361

AN ACT

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, and for other purposes KAREN L. HAAS, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink