H.R.224 - Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 224, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, amends Section 102(a)(20) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. It mandates that service-connected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs be excluded when determining income eligibility for housing assistance programs. The bill also requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on how service-connected disability compensation is treated across all HUD programs, identifying inconsistencies and providing legislative recommendations to better serve veteran populations.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to expand access to housing assistance for disabled veterans. By excluding disability compensation from income calculations, more veterans will qualify for programs like Section 8 housing choice vouchers and public housing. The required report will further highlight areas where veterans may be unfairly excluded from housing assistance and suggest improvements.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to affordable housing for disabled veterans.
- Reduced financial burden on disabled veterans, allowing them to allocate resources to other essential needs.
- Improved housing stability and reduced risk of homelessness among disabled veterans.
- Greater recognition of the sacrifices made by disabled veterans.
- Potential for improved health and well-being outcomes for disabled veterans due to stable housing.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased demand on existing housing assistance programs, possibly leading to longer wait times for all applicants.
- Possible need for increased funding for HUD programs to accommodate the expanded eligibility pool.
- Potential for unintended consequences or loopholes that could be exploited.
- The report by the Comptroller General adds an administrative burden and cost.
- May not address all the barriers that veterans face in securing housing.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to provide housing assistance to a vulnerable population: disabled veterans. While the Constitution does not explicitly guarantee housing, the government's role in promoting the general welfare can be interpreted to include providing essential services like housing to those in need. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).