This bill excludes certain disability benefits paid to veterans from being considered as income when determining eligibility for housing assistance programs.
Alejandro "Alex" Padilla
Senator
CA
The "Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act" excludes certain disability benefits received by veterans from being considered as income when determining eligibility for the supported housing program and other housing assistance programs. This exclusion applies specifically to disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code. Additionally, the Act ensures that these disability benefits are excluded from income calculations when determining a veteran's eligibility to rent housing on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) property built after the enactment of this law.
New Bill Proposes Excluding Certain Vet Disability Benefits from Housing Eligibility Income Tests
This bill, the "Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act," aims to change how income is calculated for disabled veterans applying for specific federal housing assistance programs. The core idea is to stop counting certain disability benefits – specifically those under Chapter 11 (service-connected disability) and Chapter 15 (non-service-connected disability pensions) of Title 38, U.S. Code – when determining if a veteran meets the initial income limits for eligibility.
Getting a Foot in the Door: HUD-VASH Eligibility
The main change targets the supported housing program known as HUD-VASH (authorized under Section 8(o)(19) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937). Currently, a veteran's disability benefits count towards their total income, which might push them over the threshold to qualify for help. Section 2 of this bill proposes amending the Housing Act (specifically 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(4)(B)) to exclude these specific disability payments from that initial income test. Think of it like this: a veteran whose disability pay currently makes them look 'too rich' on paper for HUD-VASH might now meet the income requirement and become eligible for a voucher and support services. The bill extends this same income exclusion rule for determining eligibility for other housing assistance types, but only for households already receiving HUD-VASH aid.
The Fine Print: Adjusted Income Still Counts
Here's a crucial point: while the bill helps veterans qualify by excluding these benefits from the initial income check, it explicitly states this exclusion does not apply when calculating "adjusted income." Adjusted income is what housing authorities use to determine how much rent a tenant actually pays. So, while a veteran might become eligible for the program under this bill, the amount of their disability benefit will still be factored into calculating their share of the rent or the amount of their subsidy. It opens the door for eligibility but doesn't necessarily lower the rent calculation itself based on those specific benefits.
New Housing on HUD Property
Section 3 adds another layer. It applies the same income exclusion rule (for Chapter 11 and 15 benefits) to veterans seeking to rent housing located on HUD property (as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 901). However, this rule comes with two significant conditions: it only applies to housing units built after this bill becomes law, and only if those units were developed using HUD housing assistance funds. This means it won't change eligibility rules for existing housing on HUD land, but sets a new standard for future projects.