Overview
Title
An Act To amend section 3(b)(4) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exclude certain disability benefits from income for the purposes of determining eligibility for the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19), and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to help disabled veterans get housing more easily by not counting some of their disability money when deciding if they can get special help with housing. This way, their extra help won't make it harder to get a place to live.
Summary AI
H.R. 965, titled the “Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act,” aims to amend the United States Housing Act of 1937. This bill seeks to make certain disability benefits for veterans not count as income when deciding if they qualify for particular housing assistance programs. Specifically, it intends to exclude disability benefits received under chapters 11 or 15 of title 38 of the U.S. Code from income calculations for veterans applying to the supported housing program. This change is designed to help disabled veterans get housing without their disability benefits affecting their eligibility.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the “Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act,” aims to amend the United States Housing Act of 1937, specifically targeting the inclusion and treatment of veterans' disability benefits when determining eligibility for housing assistance. The legislation seeks to exclude certain disability benefits from income calculations for veterans participating in housing programs, specifically under section 8(o)(19) of the Housing Act. This measure intends to ensure that veterans' disability benefits do not prevent them from accessing necessary housing support. Additionally, it touches upon newly constructed housing on Department property, stipulating that specific disability benefits should not count as income when evaluating a veteran's eligibility for these units.
Significant Issues
Key issues arise from the bill's language and its potential effects on both implementation and fair treatment. One concern is that, while excluding certain disability benefits is well-intentioned, it might inadvertently neglect groups of veterans whose income from other sources could still bar them from receiving assistance. The technical nature of the legal references, such as specific chapters and sections of the United States Code, could also pose comprehension challenges for the general public and stakeholders who might not have the legal expertise to interpret them. Furthermore, the reliance on new housing programs "not yet in existence" introduces uncertainty and could delay implementation.
Broad Public Impact
On a broader scale, this legislation could positively impact veterans by making it more feasible for them to access supported housing programs. Veterans who rely on disability benefits might find themselves in a better position to secure housing without fear of those benefits excluding them from eligibility due to income restrictions. This peace of mind and financial relief might aid in stabilizing their living circumstances. However, there might be concerns over fairness, as excluding disability benefits could create disparities compared to individuals receiving other types of government assistance, potentially introducing a perception of inequity.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For veterans and their families, this bill could offer much-needed support by ensuring their disability benefits do not count against them when seeking housing assistance. This exclusion could provide substantial relief and enhance their access to stable, supported living conditions. Yet, if not correctly balanced, the exclusions might lead to unintended exclusions or disparities, especially if other income sources are not considered equitably. Additionally, for housing authorities and program administrators, there might be implementation challenges due to the technical and cross-referenced nature of the legal stipulations, requiring adjustments in how eligibility is determined and communicated.
In conclusion, while this bill proposes constructive changes to assist veterans in securing housing, the issues highlighted suggest that careful consideration and potential adjustments are necessary to ensure fairness and comprehension, ultimately maximizing the benefits for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The exclusion of certain disability benefits in Section 2 might inadvertently overlook groups of veterans who may need additional assistance, potentially impacting their access to supported housing and requiring further review of its impact on veterans' groups.
Section 2 of the bill uses technical language and complex references to the United States Code, which may be difficult for the general public and stakeholders to understand without additional context or explanation.
In Sections 2 and 3, there is a concern about the fairness and potential disparities created by excluding certain disability benefits from income calculations, as this might lead to unequal treatment of veterans compared to others receiving different forms of assistance.
The implementation of Section 3 may face delays since it is tied to a housing assistance program not yet in existence, raising concerns about readiness and execution timelines.
The definition of 'Department property' in Section 3 depends on a cross-reference to another code section, which could inconvenience readers who must search for additional information to understand the term's significance.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill provides its short title, which is the “Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act”.
2. Exclusion of certain disability benefits Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends the United States Housing Act to exclude certain veterans' disability benefits from income calculations for eligibility in housing assistance programs. However, these exclusions do not apply when defining "adjusted income."
3. Treatment of certain disability benefits Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
When figuring out if a veteran can rent a housing unit built on Department property with help from a new federal housing program, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will not count certain disability benefits as income. This rule applies only to benefits given under specific chapters of the U.S. Code.