Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Homes for Heroes Act

Supportive housing for very low-income veteran families

(a)

Purpose

The purposes of this section are— (1)to expand the supply of permanent housing for very low-income veteran families; and (2)to provide supportive services through such housing to support the needs of such veteran families. (b)

Authority

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to the extent amounts are made available for assistance under this section and the Secretary receives approvable applications for such assistance, provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families. Such assistance shall be available for use to plan for and finance the construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of a structure or a portion of a structure, or the acquisition of a structure, to be used as supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in accordance with this section. Assistance may also cover the cost of real property acquisition, site improvement, conversion, demolition, relocation, and other expenses that the Secretary determines are necessary to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families. (c)

Forms of assistance

Assistance under this section shall be made available in the following forms: (1)

Planning grants

Assistance may be provided as a grant for costs of planning a project to be used as supportive housing for very low-income veteran families. (2)

Capital advances

Assistance may be provided as capital advance under this paragraph for a project, which shall— (A)bear no interest; (B)not be required to be repaid so long as the housing remains available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families in accordance with this section; and (C)be in an amount calculated in accordance with the development cost limitation established pursuant to subsection (h). (3)

Project rental assistance

Assistance may be provided as project rental assistance, under an annual contract that— (A)obligates the Secretary to make monthly payments to cover any part of the costs attributed to units occupied (or, as approved by the Secretary, held for occupancy) by very low-income veteran families that is not met from project income; (B)provides for the project not more than the sum of the initial annual project rentals for all units so occupied and any initial utility allowances for such units, as approved by the Secretary; (C)any contract amounts not used by a project in any year shall remain available to the project until the expiration of the contract; (D)provides that the Secretary shall, to the extent appropriations for such purpose are available, adjust the annual contract amount if the sum of the project income and the amount of assistance payments available under this paragraph are inadequate to provide for reasonable project costs. (d)

Tenant rent contribution

A very low-income veteran family shall pay as rent for a dwelling unit assisted under this section the highest of the following amounts, rounded to the nearest dollar: (1)30 percent of the veteran family’s adjusted monthly income. (2)10 percent of the veteran family’s monthly income. (3)If the veteran family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency and a part of such payments, adjusted in accordance with the veteran family’s actual housing costs, is specifically designated by such agency to meet the veteran family’s housing costs, the portion of such payments which is so designated. (e)

Term of commitment

(1)

Use limitations

All units in housing assisted under this section shall be made available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families for not less than 15 years. (2)

Contract terms

The initial term of a contract entered into under subsection (c)(2) shall be 60 months. The Secretary shall, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, extend any expiring contract for a term of not less than 12 months. In order to facilitate the orderly extension of expiring contracts, the Secretary may make commitments to extend expiring contracts during the year prior to the date of expiration. (f)

Applications

Amounts made available under this section shall be allocated by the Secretary among approvable applications submitted by private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives. Applications for assistance under this section shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish. Such applications shall contain— (1)a description of the proposed housing; (2)a description of the assistance the applicant seeks under this section; (3)a description of (A) the supportive services to be provided to the persons occupying such housing; (B) the manner in which such services will be provided to such persons, including, in the case of frail elderly persons (as such term is defined in section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q)), evidence of such residential supervision as the Secretary determines is necessary to facilitate the adequate provision of such services; and (C) the public or private sources of assistance that can reasonably be expected to fund or provide such services; (4)a certification from the public official responsible for submitting a housing strategy for the jurisdiction to be served in accordance with section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act that the proposed project is consistent with the approved housing strategy; and (5)such other information or certifications that the Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section.

The Secretary shall not reject an application on technical grounds without giving notice of that rejection and the basis therefor to the applicant and affording the applicant an opportunity to respond.

(g)

Selection criteria

The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for assistance under this section, which shall include— (1)criteria based upon— (A)the ability of the applicant to develop and operate the proposed housing; (B)the need for supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in the area to be served; (C)the extent to which the proposed size and unit mix of the housing will enable the applicant to manage and operate the housing efficiently and ensure that the provision of supportive services will be accomplished in an economical fashion; (D)the extent to which the proposed design of the housing will meet the physical needs of very low-income veteran families; (E)the extent to which the applicant has demonstrated that the supportive services identified pursuant to subsection (f)(4) will be provided on a consistent, long-term basis; (F)the extent to which the proposed design of the housing will accommodate the provision of supportive services that are expected to be needed, either initially or over the useful life of the housing, by the very low-income veterans the housing is intended to serve; and (G)such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that funds made available under this section are used effectively; (2)a preference in such selection for applications proposing housing to be reserved for occupancy by very low-income veteran families who are homeless (as such term is defined in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302); and (3)criteria appropriate to consider the need for supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in nonmetropolitan areas and by Indian tribes. (h)

Provision of supportive services to veteran families

(1)

In general

In carrying out the provisions of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that housing assisted under this section provides a range of services tailored to the needs of the very low-income veteran families occupying such housing, which may include services for— (A)outreach; (B)health (including counseling, mental health, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder) diagnosis and treatment; (C)habilitation and rehabilitation; (D)case management; (E)daily living; (F)personal financial planning; (G)transportation; (H)vocation; (I)employment and training; (J)education; (K)assistance in obtaining veterans benefits and public benefits, including health and medical care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs; (L)assistance in obtaining income support; (M)assistance in obtaining health insurance; (N)fiduciary and representative payee; (O)legal aid; (P)child care; (Q)housing counseling; (R)service coordination; and (S)other services necessary for maintaining independent living. (2)

Local coordination of services

The Secretary shall ensure that owners of housing assisted under this section have the managerial capacity to— (A)assess on an ongoing basis the service needs of residents; (B)coordinate the provision of supportive services and tailor such services to the individual needs of residents; and (C)seek on a continuous basis new sources of assistance to ensure the long-term provision of supportive services.

Any cost associated with this subsection shall be an eligible cost under subsections (c)(3) and (i).

(i)

Financial assistance for services

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent amounts are available for assistance under this subsection pursuant to subsection (o)(2), provide financial assistance for the provision of supportive services, and for coordinating the provision of such services, to very low-income veteran families occupying housing assisted under this section. Such assistance shall be made through payments to owners of such housing for each resident of the housing based on the formula established under paragraph (2). (2)

Formula

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a formula to determine the rate of the payments to be provided under this subsection. The formula shall determine a rate for each resident of the housing assisted under this section (which shall be adjusted not less than annually to take into consideration changes in the cost of living). (j)

Development cost limitations

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall periodically establish development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families by publishing a notice of the cost limitations in the Federal Register. The cost limitations shall reflect— (A)the cost of construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families that meets applicable State and local housing and building codes; (B)the cost of movables necessary to the basic operation of the housing, as determined by the Secretary; (C)the cost of special design features necessary to make the housing accessible to very low-income veteran families; (D)the cost of congregate space necessary to accommodate the provision of supportive services to veteran families; (E)if the housing is newly constructed, the cost of meeting the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; and (F)the cost of land, including necessary site improvement.

In establishing development cost limitations for a given market area under this subsection, the Secretary shall use data that reflect currently prevailing costs of construction, reconstruction, or moderate or substantial rehabilitation, and land acquisition in the area. For purposes of this paragraph, the term congregate space shall include space for cafeterias or dining halls, community rooms or buildings, child care centers, workshops, adult day health facilities, or other outpatient health facilities, or other essential service facilities. Neither this section nor any other provision of law may be construed as prohibiting or preventing the location and operation, in a project assisted under this section, of commercial facilities for the benefit of residents of the project and the community in which the project is located, except that assistance made available under this section may not be used to subsidize any such commercial facility.

(2)

Acquisition

In the case of existing housing and related facilities to be acquired, the cost limitations shall include— (A)the cost of acquiring such housing, (B)the cost of rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement, including the moderate or substantial rehabilitation thereof, and (C)the cost of the land on which the housing and related facilities are located. (3)

Annual adjustments

The Secretary shall adjust the cost limitation not less than annually to reflect changes in the general level of construction, reconstruction, and moderate and substantial rehabilitation costs. (4)

Incentives for savings

(A)

Special housing account

The Secretary shall use the development cost limitations established under paragraph (1) or (2) to calculate the amount of financing to be made available to individual owners. Owners which incur actual development costs that are less than the amount of financing shall be entitled to retain 50 percent of the savings in a special housing account. Such percentage shall be increased to 75 percent for owners which add energy efficiency features which— (i)exceed the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the Secretary in accordance with section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; (ii)substantially reduce the life-cycle cost of the housing; (iii)reduce gross rent requirements; and (iv)enhance tenant comfort and convenience. (B)

Uses

The special housing account established under subparagraph (A) may be used (i) to provide services to residents of the housing or funds set aside for replacement reserves, or (ii) for such other purposes as determined by the Secretary. (5)

Design flexibility

The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, give owners the flexibility to design housing appropriate to their location and proposed resident population within broadly defined parameters. (6)

Use of funds from other sources

An owner shall be permitted voluntarily to provide funds from sources other than this section for amenities and other features of appropriate design and construction suitable for supportive housing under this section if the cost of such amenities is (A) not financed with the advance, and (B) is not taken into account in determining the amount of Federal assistance or of the rent contribution of tenants. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, assistance amounts provided under this section may be treated as amounts not derived from a Federal grant. (k)

Tenant selection

(1)

In general

An owner shall adopt written tenant selection procedures that are satisfactory to the Secretary as (A) consistent with the purpose of improving housing opportunities for very low-income veteran families; and (B) reasonably related to program eligibility and an applicant’s ability to perform the obligations of the lease. Such tenant selection procedures shall comply with subtitle C of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 and any regulations issued under such subtitle. Owners shall promptly notify in writing any rejected applicant of the grounds for any rejection. (2)

Information regarding housing

The Secretary shall provide, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, information regarding the availability of the housing assisted under this section. Within 30 days of receipt of the information, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of Labor shall provide such information to agencies in the area of the housing that receive assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor for providing medical care, housing, supportive services or employment and training services to homeless veterans. (l)

Miscellaneous provisions

(1)

Technical assistance

The Secretary shall make available appropriate technical assistance to ensure that prospective applicants and owners are able to participate more fully in the program carried out under this section. (2)

Civil rights compliance

Each owner shall certify, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that assistance made available under this section will be conducted and administered in conformity with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and other Federal, State, and local laws prohibiting discrimination and promoting equal opportunity. (3)

Owner deposit

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall require an owner of housing assisted under this section to deposit an amount not to exceed $15,000 in a special escrow account to ensure the owner’s commitment to the housing. (B)

Reduction of requirement

The Secretary may reduce or waive the owner deposit specified under paragraph (3) for individual applicants if the Secretary finds that such waiver or reduction is necessary to achieve the purposes of this section and the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has the capacity to manage and maintain the housing in accordance with this section. The Secretary shall reduce or waive the requirement of the owner deposit under paragraph (3) in the case of a nonprofit applicant that is not affiliated with a national sponsor, as determined by the Secretary. (4)

Notice of appeal

The Secretary shall notify an owner not less than 30 days prior to canceling any reservation of assistance provided under this section. During the 30-day period following the receipt of a notice under the preceding sentence, an owner may appeal the proposed cancellation. Such appeal, including review by the Secretary, shall be completed not later than 45 days after the appeal is filed. (5)

Labor

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the construction of housing with 12 or more units assisted under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than the rates prevailing in the locality involved for the corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on construction of a similar character, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. (B)

Exemption

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any individual who— (i)performs services for which the individual volunteered; (ii)(I)does not receive compensation for such services; or (II)is paid expenses, reasonable benefits, or a nominal fee for such services; and (iii)is not otherwise employed at any time in the construction work. (6)

Access to residual receipts

The Secretary shall authorize the owner of a housing project assisted under this section to use any residual receipts held for the project in excess of $500 per unit (or in excess of such other amount prescribed by the Secretary based on the needs of the project) for activities to retrofit and renovate the project described under section 802(d)(3) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8011(d)(3)) or to provide supportive services to residents of the project. Any owner that uses residual receipts under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary a report, not less than annually, describing the uses of the residual receipts. In determining the amount of project rental assistance to be provided to a project under subsection (c)(3) of this section, the Secretary may take into consideration the residual receipts held for the project only if, and to the extent that, excess residual receipts are not used under this paragraph. (7)

Occupancy standards and obligations

Each owner shall operate housing assisted under this section in compliance with subtitle C of title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (relating to standards and obligations of residency) and any regulations issued under such subtitle. (8)

Use of project reserves

Amounts for project reserves for a project assisted under this section may be used for costs, subject to reasonable limitations as the Secretary determines appropriate, for reducing the number of dwelling units in the project. Such use shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary to ensure that the use is designed to retrofit units that are currently obsolete or unmarketable. (m)

Definitions

(1)

Consumer cooperative

The term consumer cooperative has the same meaning given such term for purposes of the supportive housing for the elderly program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q). (2)

Very low-income veteran family

The term very low-income veteran family means a veteran family whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary may establish income ceiling higher or lower than 50 percent of the median for the area on the basis of the Secretary’s findings that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market rents (as determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), or unusually high or low family incomes. (3)

Owner

The term owner means a private nonprofit organization or consumer cooperative that receives assistance under this section to develop and operate supportive housing for very low-income veteran families. (4)

Private nonprofit organization

The term private nonprofit organization means— (A)any incorporated private institution or foundation— (i)no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual; (ii)which has a governing board that is responsible for the operation of the housing assisted under this section; and (iii)which is approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility; (B)a for-profit limited partnership the sole general partner of which is an organization meeting the requirements under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A); (C)a corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization meeting the requirements under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A); and (D)a tribally designated housing entity, as such term is defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103). (5)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, except where specifically provided otherwise. (6)

State

The term State includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States. (7)

Supportive housing for very low-income veteran families

The term supportive housing for very low-income veteran families means housing that is designed to accommodate the provision of supportive services that are expected to be needed, either initially or over the useful life of the housing, by the veteran families that the housing is intended to serve. (8)

Veteran

The term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (9)

Veteran family

The term veteran family includes a veteran who is a single person, a family (including families with children) whose head of household (or whose spouse) is a veteran, and one or more veterans living together with one or more persons. (n)

Allocation of funds

Of any amounts made available for assistance under this section: (1)

Planning grants

Not more than 2.5 percent shall be made available for planning grants in accordance with subsection (c)(1). (2)

Capital advances

Such sums as may be necessary shall be made available for capital advances in accordance with subsection (c)(2). (3)

Project rental assistance

Such sums as may be necessary shall be made available for project rental assistance in accordance with subsection (c)(3). (4)

Technical assistance

Not more than 1 percent shall be made available for technical assistance in accordance with subsection (l)(1). (o)

Funding

(1)

Authorization of appropriations for housing assistance

There is authorized to be appropriated for assistance under this section $200,000,000 (not including financial assistance under subsection (i)) for fiscal year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter. (2)

Set aside of veterans medical services amounts for supportive services

Of any amounts made available in appropriation Acts for fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical services for veterans, there shall be available for financial assistance under subsection (i) of this section in each such year such sums as may be necessary to provide payments under subsection (i) for such fiscal year, at the full rate under the formula established pursuant to such subsection, for each resident of each housing project assisted under this section.

Housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans

Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended by striking paragraph (19) and inserting the following new paragraph:

(19)

Rental vouchers for homeless veterans

(A)

Set aside

Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall set aside and transfer to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, from amounts made available for rental assistance under this subsection, the amount specified in subparagraph (B) for use only for providing such assistance for homeless veterans. (B)

Amount

The amount specified in this subparagraph is, for each fiscal year, the amount necessary to provide at least 20,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection. (C)

Administration of voucher program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use amounts transferred under this paragraph only for funding contracts for rental assistance under this paragraph to be administered by entities that receive grants under section 2011 or 2012 of title 38, United States Code. Subject only to the availability of amounts for rental assistance under this paragraph, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide, under each such contract for rental assistance with such an entity, funding for the entity to provide at least two vouchers for rental assistance for each unit of transitional housing being made available by the entity at such time. (D)

Funding

The budget authority made available under any other provisions of law for rental assistance under this subsection for fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter is authorized to be increased in each such fiscal year by such sums as may be necessary to provide the number of vouchers specified in subparagraph (B) for such fiscal year.

Inclusion of veterans in housing planning

(a)

Public housing agency plans

Section 5A(d)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c–1(d)) is amended by striking and disabled families and inserting , disabled families, and veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code). (b)

Comprehensive housing affordability strategies

(1)

In general

Section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705) is amended— (A)in subsection (b)(1), by inserting veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code), after acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,; (B)in subsection (b)(20), by striking and service and inserting veterans service and other service; and (C)in subsection (e)(1), by inserting veterans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code), after homeless persons,. (2)

Consolidated plans

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise the regulations relating to submission of consolidated plans (24 C.F.R. Part 91) in accordance with the amendments made by paragraph (1) of this subsection to require inclusion of appropriate information relating to veterans and veterans service agencies in all such plans.

Exclusion of veterans benefits from assisted housing rent considerations

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of determining the amount of rent paid by a family for occupancy of a dwelling unit assisted under a federally assisted housing program under subsection (b) or in housing assisted under a federally assisted housing program, the income and the adjusted income of the family shall not be considered to include any amounts received by any member of the family from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as— (1)compensation, as defined in section 101(13) of title 38, United States Code; (2)dependency and indemnity compensation, as defined in section 101(14) of such title; and (3)pension, as defined in section 101(15) of such title. (b)

Federally assisted housing program

The federally assisted housing programs under this subsection are— (1)the public housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.); (2)the tenant-based rental assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), including the program under subsection (o)(19) of such section for housing rental vouchers for low-income veteran families; (3)the project-based rental assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f); (4)the program for housing opportunities for persons with AIDS under subtitle D of title VIII of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et seq.); (5)the supportive housing for the elderly program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q); (6)the supportive housing for persons with disabilities program under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013); (7)the supportive housing for the homeless program under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.); (8)the program for moderate rehabilitation of single room occupancy dwellings for occupancy by the homeless under section 441 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11401); (9)the shelter plus care for the homeless program under subtitle F of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11403 et seq.); (10)the supportive housing for very low-income veteran families program under section 2 of this Act; (11)the rental assistance payments program under section 521(a)(2)(A) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(a)(2)(A); (12)the rental assistance program under section 236 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z–1); (13)the rural housing programs under section 515 and 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485, 1490p–2); (14)the HOME investment partnerships program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.); (15)the block grant programs for affordable housing for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians under titles I through IV and VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq., 4221 et seq.); (16)the low-income housing tax credit program under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 42); and (17)any other program for housing assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture under which eligibility for occupancy in the housing assisted or for housing assistance is based upon income.

Technical assistance grants for housing assistance for veterans

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to the extent amounts are made available in appropriation Acts for grants under this section, make grants to eligible entities under subsection (b) to provide, to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance appropriate to assist such organizations in— (1)sponsoring housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (2)fulfilling the planning and application processes and requirements necessary under such programs administered by the Department; and (3)assisting veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs administered by the Department. (b)

Eligible entities

An eligible entity under this subsection is a nonprofit entity or organization having such expertise as the Secretary shall require in providing technical assistance to providers of services for veterans. (c)

Selection of grant recipients

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish criteria for selecting applicants for grants under this section to receive such grants and shall select applicants based upon such criteria. (d)

Funding

Of any amounts made available in fiscal year 2007 or any fiscal year thereafter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for salaries and expenses, $1,000,000 shall be available, and shall remain available until expended, for grants under this section.

Annual report on housing assistance to veterans

(a)

In general

Not later than December 31 of each year, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall submit to the Committees on Financial Services, Veterans’ Affairs, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Veterans’ Affairs, and Appropriations of the Senate a report on the activities relating to veterans of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during such year. (b)

Contents

Each report required under subsection (a) shall include the following information with respect to the year for which the report is submitted: (1)The number of very low-income veteran families provided assistance under the program of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families under section 2 of this Act, the socioeconomic characteristics of such families, the types of assistance provided such families, and the number, types, and locations of owners of housing assisted under such section. (2)The number of homeless veterans provided assistance under the program of housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (as added by section 3 of this Act), the socioeconomic characteristics of such homeless veterans, and the number, types, and locations of entities contracted under such section to administer the vouchers. (3)A summary description of the special considerations made for veterans under public housing agency plans submitted pursuant to section 5A of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and under comprehensive housing affordability strategies submitted pursuant to section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. (4)A description of the technical assistance provided to organizations pursuant to grants under section 6 of this Act. (5)A description of the activities of the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs. (6)A description of the efforts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate the delivery of housing and services to veterans with other Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Social Security Administration. (7)The cost to the Department of Housing and Urban Development of administering the programs and activities relating to veterans. (8)Any other information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the programs and activities relating to veterans of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (c)

Assessment of housing needs of very low-income veteran families

(1)

In general

For the first report submitted pursuant to subsection (a) and every fifth report thereafter, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall— (A)conduct an assessment of the housing needs of very low-income veteran families (as such term is defined for purposes of section 2; and (B)shall include in each such report findings regarding such assessment. (2)

Content

Each assessment under this subsection shall include— (A)conducting a survey of, and direct interviews with, a representative sample of very low-income veteran families (as such term is defined for purposes of section 2) to determine past and current— (i)socioeconomic characteristics of such veteran families; (ii)barriers to such veteran families obtaining safe, quality, and affordable housing; (iii)levels of homelessness among such veteran families; (iv)levels and circumstances of, and barriers to, receipt by such veteran families of rental housing and homeownership assistance; (B)such other information that the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and national nongovernmental organizations concerned with veterans, homelessness, and very low-income housing, may be useful to the assessment. (3)

Conduct

If the Secretary contracts with an entity other than the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct the assessment under this subsection, such entity shall be a non-governmental organization determined by the Secretary to have appropriate expertise in quantitative and qualitative social science research. (4)

Funding

Of any amounts made available pursuant to section 501 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1701z–1) for programs of research, studies, testing, or demonstration relating to the mission or programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for any fiscal year in which an assessment under this subsection is required pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, $1,000,000 shall be available until expended for costs of the assessment under this subsection.

Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in Office of Secretary of HUD

(a)

In general

Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f)

Special assistant for veterans affairs

(1)

Establishment

There shall be in the Department a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, who shall be in the Office of the Secretary. (2)

Appointment

The Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs shall be appointed based solely on merit and shall be covered under the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service. (3)

Responsibilities

The Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs shall be responsible for— (A)ensuring veterans have access to housing and homeless assistance under each program of the Department providing either such assistance; (B)coordinating all programs and activities of the Department relating to veterans; (C)serving as a liaison for the Department, and establishing and maintaining relationships with, officials of State, local, regional, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with veterans; (D)providing information and advice regarding— (i)sponsoring housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the Department; or (ii)assisting veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs administered by the Department; (E)administering the technical assistance grants program under section 6 of the Homes for Heroes Act; (F)preparing the annual report under section 7 of such Act; and (G)carrying out such other duties as may be assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or by law.