A policy change by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will allow more homeless veterans to qualify for a key housing program by exempting service-connected disability benefits from income-limit calculations.

The move echoes proposals in the bipartisan Home for the Brave Act (H.R. 6179), a MOAA-supported proposal introduced last November by Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.).

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“The days of a veteran having to choose between getting the VA benefits they deserve and the housing support they need are finally over,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in the Aug. 8 press release announcing the HUD change to the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. “This is a critical step forward that will help veterans nationwide – and bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal of putting an end to veteran homelessness for good.”

Federal agencies like the IRS already excluded disability payments from similar income calculations. The change brings the HUD program in line with those practices.

“This change will make housing more affordable and accessible on the Central Coast and across the country, and support those who stepped up to defend our nation by ending this housing discrimination against our disabled veterans,” Carbajal said in a press release noting MOAA’s endorsement of his legislation, alongside the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Coalition for the Homeless.

Learn more about the HUD-VASH changes at this link. Learn more about VA homeless programs at this VA website.

More Work to Support Veterans

When Congress returns from its summer recess, MOAA will look to continue its work on behalf of VA beneficiaries. MOAA’s top VA advocacy priority remains the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

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This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would tackle a wide range of needed upgrades, to include:

• The creation of a VA pilot program to provide assisted living services to eligible veterans.
• Improvements to VA home- and community-based services for veterans, as well as support to family caregivers.
• Program modifications that would improve transparency and access to services for caregivers of veterans, and aid in navigating Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care programs and services.
• Dental care for veterans with heart disease.
• Improvements to mental health, rehabilitation, and suicide prevention programs; outreach and financial services; and disability claims and examination processes.
  
  

Learn more about the bill at this link.