Legislative Updates 
Homeless Veterans Legislation
The Obama Administration has committed to ending homelessness among veterans in five years. To that end, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Secretary Erik Shinseki has outlined a plan to end veteran homelessness. Congress is currently considering a number of legislative priorities that would help the VA achieve this goal.
LATEST NEWS:
In late January, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs passed S. 1237, the "Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010." The bill includes language from the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009, which was introduced in July by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI). The legislation would expand the HUD-Veterans' Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, institute flexible funding for preventing veterans homelessness, allow mixed financing for capital projects, and better align health care services payments with actual costs. In addition, the bill would create a Special Assistant for Veterans' Affairs within HUD, provide for better data collection on the extent of veteran homelessness, and require a comprehensive plan for ending veteran homelessness. S. 1237 will now be sent to the full Senate for consideration.
There is not yet a companion bill in the House, but the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is considering several separate bills which address homelessness, some with similar provisions to S. 1547.
The Homes for Heroes Act of 2009, H.R. 403 / S. 1160, passed overwhelmingly in the House and has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Schumer (D-NY). The legislation would create a HUD sponsored program that will fund the development and operating costs of permanent housing for low-income veterans and their families. S. 1160 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
More Information on Comprehensive Homeless Veterans Legislation
In order to end homelessness among veterans, Congress should enact comprehensive legislation to:
Legislative Priorities to End Homelessness Among Veterans
This two-pager provides four key legislative priorities for a comprehensive bill to address veterans homelessness. The Zero Tolerance for Homelessness Among Veterans Act of 2009 addresses all four priorities.
Summary: S. 1547, the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009
This one-pager provides a brief overview of S. 1547, the Zero Tolerance for Homeless Veterans Act of 2009. S. 1547 was introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) on July 30, 2009.
2009 Policy Guide
This policy guide provides information about the most important federal programs, policies, and legislation affecting homelessness. Key housing and homelessness topics are covered including HUD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs, Section 8 housing choice vouchers, and housing programs dedicated to people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
