[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2716 Introduced in House (IH)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2716
To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and
consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for
homeless veterans.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 2, 2001
Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Buyer, and Mr. Simmons)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial
Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and
consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for
homeless veterans.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38,
UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans
Assistance Act of 2001''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references to title 38, United
States Code.
Sec. 2. Sense of the Congress regarding the needs of homeless veterans
and the responsibility of Federal agencies.
Sec. 3. Improvement and consolidation of provisions of law relating to
homeless veterans.
Sec. 4. Rental assistance vouchers for HUD Veterans Affairs supported
housing program.
Sec. 5. Increase in representative payee services for homeless
veterans.
Sec. 6. Joint methodology to monitor results of services furnished to
homeless veterans.
Sec. 7. Enhanced-use leases for facilities that serve homeless
veterans.
Sec. 8. Authorization of additional domiciliary care programs.
Sec. 9. Demonstration program relating to referral and counseling for
veterans transitioning from certain
institutions who are at risk for
homelessness.
Sec. 10. Demonstration program for grants for independent group homes
for recovering veterans.
(c) References to Title 38, United States Code.--Except as
otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or
repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be
made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS
AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.
It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) Federal programs for the assistance of homeless
veterans that are effective should be identified and expanded;
(2) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should
be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results;
(3) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should
include prevention of homelessness; and
(4) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, should cooperate more fully to address the problem
of homelessness among veterans.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT AND CONSOLIDATION OF PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO
HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) In General.--(1) Part II is amended by inserting after chapter
19 the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
``subchapter i--purpose; definitions
``Sec.
``2001. Purpose.
``2002. Definitions.
``subchapter ii--comprehensive service programs
``2011. Grants.
``2012. Per diem payments.
``2013. Authorization of appropriations.
``subchapter iii--training
``2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs.
``subchapter iv--treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally
ill and homeless veterans
``2031. General treatment.
``2032. Therapeutic housing.
``2033. Additional services at certain locations.
``2034. Coordination with other agencies and organizations.
``2035. Representative payee services.
``subchapter v--housing assistance
``2041. Housing assistance for homeless veterans.
``subchapter vi--loan guarantees for multifamily transitional housing
``2051. General authority.
``2052. Requirements.
``2053. Default.
``2054. Audit.
``subchapter vii--miscellaneous provisions
``2061. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans.
``SUBCHAPTER I--PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS
``Sec. 2001. Purpose
``The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the special needs
of homeless veterans.
``Sec. 2002. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) The term `homeless veteran' means a homeless
individual who is a veteran.
``(2) The term `homeless individual' has the meaning given
such term by section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302).
``SUBCHAPTER II--COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS
``Sec. 2011. Grants
``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--(1) Subject to the availability of
appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary shall make
grants to assist eligible entities in establishing programs to furnish,
and expanding or modifying existing programs for furnishing, the
following to homeless veterans:
``(A) Outreach.
``(B) Rehabilitative services.
``(C) Vocational counseling and training
``(D) Transitional housing assistance.
``(2) The authority of the Secretary to make grants under this
section expires on September 30, 2003.
``(b) Criteria for Award of Grants.--The Secretary shall establish
criteria and requirements for the award of a grant under this section,
including criteria for entities eligible to receive such grants, and
shall publish such criteria and requirements in the Federal Register.
The criteria established under this section shall include the
following:
``(1) Specification as to the kinds of projects for which
such grant support is available, which shall include--
``(A) expansion, remodeling, or alteration of
existing buildings, or acquisition of facilities, for
use as service centers, transitional housing, or other
facilities to serve homeless veterans; and
``(B) procurement of vans for use in outreach to,
and transportation for, homeless veterans to carry out
the purposes set forth in subsection (a).
``(2) Specification as to the number of projects for which
grant support is available.
``(3) Appropriate criteria for the staffing for the
provision of the services for which a grant under this section
is furnished.
``(4) Provisions to ensure that the award of grants under
this section--
``(A) shall not result in duplication of ongoing
services; and
``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, shall
reflect appropriate geographic dispersion and an
appropriate balance between urban and nonurban
locations.
``(5) Provisions to ensure that an entity receiving a grant
shall meet fire and safety requirements established by the
Secretary, which shall include such State and community
requirements that may apply, but fire and safety requirements
applicable to buildings of the Federal Government shall not
apply to real property to be used by a grantee in carrying out
the grant.
``(6) Specifications as to the means by which an entity
receiving a grant may contribute in-kind services to the start-
up costs of any project for which support is sought and the
methodology for assigning a cost to that contribution for
purposes of subsection (c).
``(c) Funding Limitations.--A grant under this section may not be
used to support operational costs. The amount of a grant under this
section may not exceed 65 percent of the estimated cost of the
expansion, remodeling, alteration, acquisition, or procurement provided
for under this section.
``(d) Eligible Entities.--The Secretary may make a grant under this
section to an entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant
for the grant--
``(1) is a public or nonprofit private entity with the
capacity (as determined by the Secretary) to effectively
administer a grant under this section;
``(2) has demonstrated that adequate financial support will
be available to carry out the project for which the grant has
been sought consistent with the plans, specifications, and
schedule submitted by the applicant; and
``(3) has agreed to meet the applicable criteria and
requirements established under subsections (b) and (g) (and the
Secretary has determined that the applicant has demonstrated
the capacity to meet those criteria and requirements).
``(e) Application Requirement.--An entity described in subsection
(d) desiring to receive assistance under this section shall submit to
the Secretary an application. The application shall set forth the
following:
``(1) The amount of the grant requested with respect to a
project.
``(2) A description of the site for such project.
``(3) Plans, specifications, and the schedule for
implementation of such project in accordance with requirements
prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b).
``(4) Reasonable assurance that upon completion of the work
for which assistance is sought, the program will become
operational and the facilities will be used principally to
provide to veterans the services for which the project was
designed, and that not more than 25 percent of the services
provided will serve clients who are not receiving such services
as veterans.
``(f) Program Requirements.--The Secretary may not make a grant to
an applicant under this section unless the applicant, in the
application for the grant, agrees to each of the following
requirements:
``(1) To provide the services for which the grant is
furnished at locations accessible to homeless veterans.
``(2) To maintain referral networks for, and aid homeless
veterans in, establishing eligibility for assistance, and
obtaining services, under available entitlement and assistance
programs.
``(3) To ensure the confidentiality of records maintained
on homeless veterans receiving services under the grant.
``(4) To establish such procedures for fiscal control and
fund accounting as may be necessary to ensure proper
disbursement and accounting with respect to the grant and to
such payments as may be made under section 2012 of this title.
``(5) To seek to employ homeless veterans and formerly
homeless veterans in positions created for purposes of the
grant for which those veterans are qualified.
``(g) Service Center Requirements.--In addition to criteria
established under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, in the case of
an application for a grant for a service center for homeless veterans,
require each of the following:
``(1) That such center provide services to homeless
veterans during such hours as the Secretary may specify and be
open to such veterans on an as-needed, unscheduled basis.
``(2) That space at such center will be made available, as
mutually agreeable, for use by staff of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and other
appropriate agencies and organizations in assisting homeless
veterans served by such center.
``(3) That such center be equipped and staffed to provide,
or to assist in providing, health care, mental health services,
hygiene facilities, benefits and employment counseling, meals,
transportation assistance, and such other services as the
Secretary determines necessary.
``(4) That such center may be equipped and staffed to
provide, or to assist in providing, job training and job
placement services (including job readiness, job counseling,
and literacy and skills training), as well as any outreach and
case management services that may be necessary to carry out
this paragraph.
``Sec. 2012. Per diem payments
``(a) Per Diem Payments for Furnishing Services to Homeless
Veterans.--(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided
for such purpose, the Secretary, pursuant to such criteria as the
Secretary shall prescribe, shall provide to a recipient of a grant
under section 2011 of this title (or an entity eligible to receive a
grant under that section which after November 10, 1992, establishes a
program that the Secretary determines carries out the purposes
described in that section) per diem payments for services furnished to
any homeless veteran--
``(A) whom the Secretary has referred to the grant
recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant); or
``(B) for whom the Secretary has authorized the provision
of services.
``(2) The rate for such per diem payments shall be the rate
applicable for domiciliary care under section 1741(a)(1)(A) of this
title.
``(3) In a case in which the Secretary has authorized the provision
of services, per diem payments under paragraph (1) may be paid
retroactively for services provided not more than three days before the
authorization was provided.
``(b) In-Kind Assistance.--In lieu of per diem payments under this
section, the Secretary may, with the approval of the grant recipient,
provide in-kind assistance (through the services of employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the use of other Department
resources) to a grant recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant)
under section 2011 of this title.
``(c) Inspections.--The Secretary may inspect any facility of an
entity eligible for payments under subsection (a) at such times as the
Secretary considers necessary. No per diem payment may be made to an
entity under this section unless the facilities of that entity meet
such standards as the Secretary shall prescribe.
``(d) Recovery of Unused Grant Funds.--(1) If a grant recipient (or
entity eligible for such a grant) under section 2011 of this title does
not establish a program in accordance with that section or ceases to
furnish services under such a program for which the grant was made, the
United States shall be entitled to recover from such recipient or
entity the total of all unused grant amounts made under this section to
such recipient or entity in connection with such program.
``(2) Any amount recovered by the United States under paragraph (1)
may be obligated by the Secretary without fiscal year limitation to
carry out provisions of this subchapter.
``Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subchapter amounts as follows:
``(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
``(3) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
``(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
``(5) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
``(6) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
``SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING
``Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs
``(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations
provided for under subsection (d) and made available for such purpose,
the Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or
contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to
provide job training, counseling, and placement services to expedite
the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.
``(b) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) The
Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as the Secretary
considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the distribution and
expenditure of funds appropriated to carry out this section. The
information shall include data with respect to the results or outcomes
of the services provided to each homeless veteran under this section.
``(2) The information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished to the
Secretary of Labor in such form as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(c) Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry
out this section through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans'
Employment and Training.
``(d) Annual Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor shall
submit to Congress an annual report that evaluates services furnished
to veterans under this section, and includes an analysis of the
information collected under subsection (c).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section amounts as follows:
``(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
``(B) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
``(C) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
``(D) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain
available until expended. Funds obligated in any fiscal year to carry
out this section may be expended in that fiscal year and the succeeding
fiscal year.
``SUBCHAPTER V--HOUSING ASSISTANCE
``SUBCHAPTER VII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
``Sec. 2061. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans
``(a) Annual Report.--Not later than April 15 of each year, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the activities of the
Department during the calendar year preceding the report under programs
of the Department under this chapter and other programs of the
Department for the provision of assistance to homeless veterans.
``(b) Contents of Report.--Each report under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
``(1) The number of homeless veterans provided assistance
under those programs.
``(2) The cost to the Department of providing such
assistance under those programs.
``(3) Any other information on those programs and on the
provision of such assistance that the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(4) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of
the programs of the Department (including residential work-
therapy programs, programs combining outreach, community-based
residential treatment, and case-management, and contract care
programs for alcohol and drug-dependence or use disabilities)
in providing assistance to homeless veterans.
``(5) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of
programs established by recipients of grants under section 2011
of this title and a description of the experience of those
recipients in applying for and receiving grants from the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to serve primarily
homeless persons who are veterans.''.
(2) The tables of chapters before part I and at the beginning of
part II are each amended by inserting after the item relating to
chapter 19 the following new item:
``20. Benefits for homeless veterans........................ 2001''.
(b) Health Care.--(1) Subchapter VII of chapter 17 is transferred
to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)), inserted after section 2021
(as so added), and redesignated as subchapter IV, and sections 1771,
1772, 1773, and 1774 therein are redesignated as sections 2031, 2032,
2033, and 2034, respectively.
(2) Subsection (a)(3) of section 2031, as so transferred and
redesignated, is amended by striking ``section 1772 of this title'' and
inserting ``section 2032 of this title''.
(c) Housing Assistance.--Section 3735 is transferred to chapter 20
(as added by subsection (a)), inserted after the heading for subchapter
V, and redesignated as section 2041.
(d) Multifamily Transitional Housing.--(1) Subchapter VI of chapter
37 (other than section 3771) is transferred to chapter 20 (as added by
subsection (a)) and inserted after section 2041 (as transferred and
redesignated by subsection (c)), and sections 3772, 3773, 3774, and
3775 therein are redesignated as sections 2051, 2052, 2053, and 2054,
respectively.
(2) Such subchapter is amended--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``FOR HOMELESS VETERANS'';
(B) in subsection (d)(1) of section 2051, as so transferred
and redesignated, by striking ``section 3773 of this title''
and inserting ``section 2052 of this title''; and
(C) in subsection (a) of section 2052, as so transferred
and redesignated, by striking ``section 3772 of this title''
and inserting ``section 2051 of this title''.
(3) Section 3771 is repealed.
(e) Repeal of Codified Provisions.--The following provisions of law
are repealed:
(1) Sections 3, 4, and 12 of the Homeless Veterans
Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590;
38 U.S.C. 7721 note).
(2) Section 1001 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act
of 1994 (Public Law 103-446; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note).
(3) Section 4111.
(4) Section 738 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11448).
(f) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 is
amended by striking the item relating to subchapter VII and the
items relating to sections 1771, 1772, 1773, and 1774.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 is
amended--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 3735;
and
(B) by striking the item relating to subchapter VI
and the items relating to sections 3771, 3772, 3773,
3774, and 3775.
(3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 4111.
SEC. 4. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED
HOUSING PROGRAM.
(a) Increase in Number of Vouchers.--Section 8(o) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
``(19) Rental vouchers for veterans affairs supported
housing program.--
``(A) Set aside.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the
Secretary shall set aside, from amounts made available
for rental assistance under this subsection, the
amounts specified in subparagraph (B) for use only for
providing such assistance through a supported housing
program administered in conjunction with the Department
of Veterans Affairs. Such program shall provide rental
assistance on behalf of homeless veterans who have
chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance use
disorders, shall require agreement of the veteran to
continued treatment for such mental illness or
substance use disorder as a condition of receipt of
such rental assistance, and shall ensure such treatment
and appropriate case management for each veteran
receiving such rental assistance.
``(B) Amount.--The amount specified in this
subparagraph is--
``(i) for fiscal year 2003, the amount
necessary to provide 500 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection;
``(ii) for fiscal year 2004, the amount
necessary to provide 1,000 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection;
``(iii) for fiscal year 2005, the amount
necessary to provide 1,500 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection; and
``(iv) for fiscal year 2006, the amount
necessary to provide 2,000 vouchers for rental
assistance under this subsection.
``(C) Funding through incremental assistance.--In
any fiscal year, to the extent that this paragraph
requires the Secretary to set aside rental assistance
amounts for use under this paragraph in an amount that exceeds that set
aside in the preceding fiscal year, such requirement shall be effective
only to such extent or in such amounts as are or have been provided in
appropriation Acts for such fiscal year for incremental rental
assistance under this subsection.''.
(b) Increase in Number of VHA Case Managers.--The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the number of case managers in the
Veterans Health Administration is sufficient to assure that every
veteran who is provided a housing voucher through section 8(o) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is assigned to,
and is able to be seen as needed by, a case manager.
SEC. 5. INCREASE IN REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SERVICES FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 20 (as added by section 3(a)) is amended
by inserting after section 2034 (as transferred and redesignated by
section 3(b)) the following new section:
``Sec. 2035. Representative payee services
``The Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with community
agencies to provide representative payee services for veterans who are
not competent to manage their own personal funds. Any such contract
shall require that an entity acting as representative payee for a
veteran shall work in consort with care providers of the Veterans
Health Administration to ensure that all Government funds are used
appropriately (such as for shelter, nutrition, and necessary health
care services).''.
(b) Report.--Not later than March 1, 2003, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the Secretary's
efforts to expand contracts described in section 2035 of title 38,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and on savings from
cost-of-care avoidance resulting from such contracts.
SEC. 6. JOINT METHODOLOGY TO MONITOR RESULTS OF SERVICES FURNISHED TO
HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) Results of Veterans Furnished Services under Federal Homeless
Programs.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development (hereinafter in this section referred to
as the ``Secretaries'') shall jointly establish a methodology to
monitor--
(1) veterans who have been furnished any service under any
program funded or operated by the Department of Veterans
Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban Development
under which services are furnished to homeless veterans; and
(2) any unmet demand by such veterans for any such service.
(b) Methodology.--(1) The methodology under subsection (a) shall
include monitoring of standardized measurements and outcomes of such
services furnished to veterans. Such standardized measurements and
outcomes include measurable improved performance outcomes in the areas
of mental illness, substance use disorders, general health, housing,
and employment.
(2) Such standardized measurements and outcomes shall provide
information with respect the following:
(A) Number of homeless veterans that reside in suitable,
permanent housing by reason of such services.
(B) Number of homeless veterans employed, and their
employment earnings, by of such services.
(C) Number of homeless veterans that have avoided relapses
into the conditions that led to previous homelessness, such as
mental illness or substance use disorders.
(D) Any other information that Secretaries determine
appropriate to evaluate the outcomes of services furnished to
homeless veterans.
(c) Implementation.--Not later than January 1, 2003, the
Secretaries shall implement the methodology established under
subsection (a).
(d) Annual Report.--Beginning with the annual report to Congress
required under section 2061 of title 38, United States Code, as added
by section 3(a), for 2004, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after
consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall include in that annual
report results of the monitoring of homeless veterans required under
this section.
SEC. 7. ENHANCED-USE LEASES FOR FACILITIES THAT SERVE HOMELESS
VETERANS.
(a) Waiver of Competitive Selection Process for Enhanced-Use Leases
for Properties Used To Serve Homeless Veterans.--Section 8162(b)(1) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(b)(1)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) In the case of a property that the Secretary determines is
appropriate for use as a facility to furnish services to homeless
veterans under chapter 20 of this title, the Secretary may enter into
an enhanced-use lease without regard to the selection procedures
required under subparagraph (A).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to leases entered into on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL DOMICILIARY CARE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may establish up
to ten programs under section 1710(b) of title 38, United States Code
(in addition to any such program that is established as of the date of
the enactment of this Act) to provide domiciliary services under
section 1710(b) of such title to homeless veterans (as defined in
section 2002(1) of such title (as added by section 3(a)).
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to establish the programs referred to in
subsection (a).
SEC. 9. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM RELATING TO REFERRAL AND COUNSELING FOR
VETERANS TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS WHO ARE
AT RISK FOR HOMELESSNESS.
(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in this section referred to as the
``Secretaries'') shall carry out a demonstration program for the
purpose of determining the costs and benefits of providing referral and
counseling services to eligible veterans with respect to benefits and
services available to such veterans under title 38, United States Code,
and under State law.
(b) Location of Demonstration Program.--The demonstration program
shall be carried out in at least six locations. One location shall be a
penal institution under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Prisons.
(c) Scope of Program.--(1) To the extent practicable, the
demonstration program shall provide both referral and counseling, and
in the case of counseling, shall include counseling with respect to job
training and placement, housing, health care, and such other benefits
to assist the eligible veteran in the transition from institutional
living.
(2)(A) To the extent that referral or counseling services are
provided at a location under the program, referral services shall be
provided in person during the 60-day period that precedes the date of
release or discharge of the eligible veteran under subsection
(f)(1)(B), and counseling services shall be furnished after such date.
(B) The Secretaries may furnish to officials of penal institutions
outreach information with respect to referral and counseling services
for presentation to veterans in the custody of such officials during
the 18-month period that precedes such date of release or discharge.
(3) The Secretaries may enter into contracts to carry out the
counseling required under the demonstration program with entities or
organizations that meet such requirements as the Secretaries may
establish.
(4) In developing the demonstration program, the Secretaries shall
consult with officials of the Bureau of Prisons, officials of penal
institutions of States and political subdivisions of States, and such
other officials as the Secretaries determine appropriate.
(d) Report.--(1) Not later than two years after the commencement of
the demonstration program, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (after
consultation with the Secretary of Labor) shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of
Representatives a report on the program.
(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) A description of the implementation and operation of
the program.
(B) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.
(C) Recommendations, if any, regarding an extension of the
program.
(e) Duration.--The authority of the Secretaries to provide
counseling services under the demonstration program shall cease on the
date that is four years after the date of the commencement of the
demonstration program.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran who--
(A) is a resident of a penal institution or an
institution that provides long-term care for mental
illness;
(B) is expected to be imminently released or
discharged (as the case may be) from the facility or
institution; and
(C) is at risk for homelessness absent referral and
counseling services provided under the program (as
determined under guidelines established by the
Secretaries).
(2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term
under section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.
(3) The term ``imminent'' means, with respect to a release
or discharge under paragraph (1)(B), the 60-day period that
ends on the date of such release or discharge.
SEC. 10. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR GRANTS FOR INDEPENDENT GROUP HOMES
FOR RECOVERING VETERANS.
(a) Establishment of Grant Program.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'')
shall carry out a demonstration program under which the Secretary shall
make grants to eligible entities to establish a project to provide
independent housing units in group houses sponsored by the entities for
occupancy by veterans recovering from alcohol or other substance use
disorders.
(b) Maximum Grant Amount per Group House.--The amount of any
individual grant under this program for the establishment of a group
house may not exceed $5,000.
(c) Eligible Entity.--The Secretary may make a grant under this
section to an entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant
for the grant--
(1) is a nonprofit private entity with the capacity (as
determined by the Secretary) to effectively carry out a grant
under this section;
(2) has demonstrated that adequate financial support will
be available to carry out the project for which the grant has
been sought consistent with the plans, specifications, and
schedule submitted by the applicant; and
(3) has agreed to meet the applicable criteria and
requirements established under subsection (e) (and the
Secretary has determined that the applicant has demonstrated
the capacity to meet those criteria and requirements).
(d) Application Requirement.--In order to receive a grant under
this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application. The application shall set forth the following:
(1) The amount of the grant requested with respect to a
project.
(2) A description of the site for such project.
(3) Plans, specifications, and the schedule for
implementation of such project in accordance with requirements
prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (e).
(e) Program Requirements.--The Secretary may not make a grant to an
applicant under this section unless the applicant, in the application
for the grant, agrees to each of the following requirements:
(1) The eligible entity has in effect policies that--
(A) prohibit the use of alcohol or any illegal drug
in the group house;
(B) provide for the immediate expulsion of any
resident of the group house who violates the
prohibition described in subparagraph (A);
(C) provide that payment for the costs of the
housing, including fees for rent, and utilities, and
all other fees applicable under residential leases on
the part of the tenant, are made by the residents of
the group house; and
(D) provide that rules of conduct for residents of
the group house are made by majority vote of the
residents, including rules regarding the manner in
which applications for residence in the group house are
approved.
(2) A group house shall provide for residence of not more
than 10 veterans.
(f) Recovery of Grant Funds.--(1) If an eligible entity does not
establish a project in accordance with the requirements of this section
or ceases to be in accordance with such requirements for which the
grant was made, the United States shall be entitled to recover from
such entity the total of all unused grant amounts made under this
section to such recipient or entity in connection with such project.
(2) Any amount recovered by the United States under paragraph (1)
may be obligated by the Secretary without fiscal year limitation to
carry out provisions of this section.
(g) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to
carry out the demonstration program under this section.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--For purposes of carrying out
this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs $250,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004.
(i) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
describing the grants made under this section. The report shall include
the following:
(1) An assessment of the effectiveness of the demonstration
program, including the number of grants awarded.
(2) The geographic locations of the group houses
established under the program.
(3) The number of veterans residing in each group house,
the average number of veterans in all group houses, and the
average length of stay for veterans in group houses.
(4) The number of veterans who were expelled from such
group houses.
(5) Recommendations for extending, expanding, or modifying
the program or funding under this section.
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