Overview
Title
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
H.R. 965 is a plan to make sure that when veterans try to get help for housing, the money they get from certain kinds of disability benefits doesn't count against them, making it easier for them to qualify.
Summary AI
H.R. 965 is a bill aimed at changing the United States Housing Act of 1937. Its main purpose is to exclude certain disability benefits from being counted as income for veterans trying to qualify for housing assistance under a specific program. This would make it easier for veterans receiving those benefits to access supported housing. The bill seeks to ensure that these disability benefits do not impact the eligibility of veterans for other housing assistance as well.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
H.R. 965, titled the "Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act," proposes changes to the United States Housing Act of 1937. The primary aim of this bill is to adjust how disability benefits for veterans are treated in the calculation of income for eligibility purposes in housing assistance programs. Specifically, it seeks to exclude certain disability benefits from being counted as income under Section 8 of the Housing Act, which pertains to supported housing programs. This bill emphasizes support for veterans by potentially easing their access to housing assistance programs.
Summary of Significant Issues
A major conversation around this bill concerns the exclusion of certain veterans' disability benefits from income calculations. While this could provide significant relief for veterans by expanding their eligibility for housing assistance, it raises issues around fairness, particularly why only specific benefits are excluded and how this may affect veterans who do not fall into these categories.
The technical language and references to specific legal statutes within the bill could lead to misunderstandings and challenges in interpretation for individuals not versed in legal or legislative jargon. This lack of accessibility could obscure public understanding of who benefits from the proposed changes and how eligibility is determined.
Moreover, the legislation outlines conditions related to a housing program that does not yet exist, potentially delaying the bill's implementation. This could be problematic for veterans seeking immediate relief. The dependency on the undefined term "adjusted income" also adds complexity, as variations in this definition could alter the bill's intended impact.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, this bill has the potential to positively impact many veterans by removing barriers to accessing housing assistance, thus improving their living conditions. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by disabled veterans and attempts to address these through legislative action. However, for those veterans whose benefits remain calculated as income, the sense of disparity could foster feelings of unfair treatment.
The technical nature of the bill may hinder public discussion and understanding of its benefits and limitations. If enacted, this might deter eligible individuals from applying for assistance due to misconceptions or lack of clarity regarding eligibility criteria.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For disabled veterans, the bill is mostly positive as it aims to offer additional support by exempting certain benefits from income calculations. This could result in more veterans qualifying for necessary housing assistance, thereby supporting their stability and well-being.
Conversely, veterans who do not receive the specific benefits mentioned may perceive an inequity in how support is distributed, possibly leading to calls for broader amendments to include more comprehensive benefit exclusions.
Additionally, housing authorities and administrators might face challenges in implementing the provisions, particularly when dealing with undefined or cross-referenced terms. This may require additional training or legal consultation, potentially delaying the intended benefits of the bill.
Overall, while the bill demonstrates a legislative effort to support disabled veterans, its effectiveness will largely depend on the resolution of these issues and the clarity of its implementation.
Issues
The exclusion of certain disability benefits from income determinations under Section 2 might inadvertently overlook veterans who need additional assistance, potentially creating disparities in aid. This could affect public perception regarding the fairness and implementation of the bill.
The bill uses technical language and references specific chapters and sections of the United States Code. This may make it less accessible and understandable to the general public, potentially resulting in misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
The implementation of the provisions is tied to a housing assistance program 'not yet in existence,' as stated in Section 3(a). This may delay the benefits intended by the bill, impacting veterans who might need immediate assistance.
The cross-referencing of terms such as 'Department property' defined in other legal documents could make the legislation cumbersome to interpret, requiring additional research by those affected or interested in the bill.
The exclusion terms in Section 2 depend on the 'definition of adjusted income,' which is not clearly explained. This could lead to concerns about transparency and consistency in how disability benefits are treated in relation to other forms of income.
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.