[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3545 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3545

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve services for homeless 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 20, 2006

Mr. Craig (for himself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Obama) introduced 
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee 
                          on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve services for homeless 
                   veterans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Homeless Veterans 
Assistance and Prevention Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. REAFFIRMATION OF NATIONAL GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS AMONG 
              VETERANS.

    (a) Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms the national goal to end 
chronic homelessness among veterans within a decade of the enactment of 
the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 
107-95; 115 Stat. 903).
    (b) Reaffirmation of Encouragement of Cooperative Efforts.--
Congress reaffirms its encouragement, as specified in the Homeless 
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-95; 115 
Stat. 903), that all departments and agencies of the Federal, State, 
and local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, private and 
public sector entities, including community-based organizations, faith-
based organizations, and individuals, work cooperatively to end chronic 
homelessness among veterans.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE RESPONSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO 
              THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) homelessness is a significant problem in the veterans 
        community, and veterans are disproportionately represented 
        among homeless men;
            (2) while many effective programs assist homeless veterans 
        to become, once again, productive and self-sufficient members 
        of their communities and society, all the essential services, 
        assistance, and support that homeless veterans require are not 
        currently provided;
            (3) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should 
        be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results;
            (4) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should 
        include prevention of homelessness;
            (5) Federal efforts regarding homeless veterans should be 
        particularly vigorous where women veterans have minor children 
        in their care;
            (6) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and the Department 
        of Housing and Urban Development, should cooperate more fully 
        to address the problem of homelessness among veterans; and
            (7) the programs reauthorized by this Act provide important 
        housing and services to homeless veterans.

SEC. 4. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE 
              PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) Permanent Authority.--Section 2011(a) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
            (2) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``(1)''; and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) 
                as paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--The text of section 2013 of 
such title is amended to read as follows: ``There are authorized to be 
appropriated, to carry out this subchapter, $130,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.

SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR SERIOUSLY 
              MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) Extension of Authority for General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2006'' and 
inserting ``2011''.
    (b) Extension of Authority for Additional Services.--Section 
2033(d) of such title is amended by striking ``2006'' and inserting 
``2011''.

SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER OF PROPERTIES OBTAINED 
              THROUGH FORECLOSURE OF HOME MORTGAGES.

    Section 2041(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2011''.

SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
              WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``2003, 2004, and 2005, $5,000,000'' and inserting ``2007 
through 2011, $7,000,000''.

SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR HOMELESS VETERAN SERVICE PROVIDER 
              TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Subsection (b) of section 2064 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012 to 
carry out the program under this section.''.

SEC. 9. ADDITIONAL ELEMENT IN ANNUAL REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    Section 2065(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraph (5):
            ``(5) Information on the efforts of the Secretary to 
        coordinate the delivery of housing and services to homeless 
        veterans with other Federal departments and agencies, 
        including--
                    ``(A) the Department of Defense;
                    ``(B) the Department of Health and Human Services;
                    ``(C) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    ``(D) the Department of Justice;
                    ``(E) the Department of Labor;
                    ``(F) the Interagency Council on Homelessness;
                    ``(G) the Social Security Administration; and
                    ``(H) any other Federal department or agency with 
                which the Secretary coordinates the delivery of housing 
                and services to homeless veterans.''.

SEC. 10. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS VETERANS.

    (a) Additional Ex Officio Members.--Subsection (a)(3) of section 
2066 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subparagraphs:
            ``(E) The Executive Director of the Interagency Council on 
        Homelessness (or a representative of the Executive Director).
            ``(F) The Under Secretary for Health (or a representative 
        of the Under Secretary after consultation with the Director of 
        the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs).
            ``(G) The Under Secretary for Benefits (or a representative 
        of the Under Secretary after consultation with the Director of 
        the Office of Homeless Veterans Programs).''.
    (b) Extension.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended by 
striking ``December 31, 2006'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011''.

SEC. 11. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED 
              HOUSING PROGRAM.

    (a) Funding for Vouchers.--Section (8)(o)(19)(B) of the United 
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)(B)) is amended to 
read as follows:
                    ``(B) Amount.--The amount specified in this 
                subparagraph is--
                            ``(i) for fiscal year 2007, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 500 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(ii) for fiscal year 2008, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 1,000 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(iii) for fiscal year 2009, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 1,500 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(iv) for fiscal year 2010, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 2,000 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection; and
                            ``(v) for fiscal year 2011, the amount 
                        necessary to provide 2,500 vouchers for rental 
                        assistance under this subsection.''.
    (b) Elimination of Funding Through Incremental Assistance.--
Subparagraph (C) of section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act 
of 1937 (19 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)(C)) is repealed.
    (c) Study of Effectiveness of Vouchers.--
            (1) In general.--For fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study of the 
        effectiveness of the voucher program under section 
        (8)(o)(19)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
        U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)(B)), as amended by subsection (a), in 
        meeting the housing and case management needs of homeless 
        veterans who--
                    (A) have a chronic mental illnesses or chronic 
                substance use disorder; and
                    (B) are participating in continuing treatment for 
                such mental illness or substance use disorder as a 
                condition of receipt of such rental assistance.
            (2) Comparison.--As part of the study required by paragraph 
        (1) the Secretary shall compare the results of the program 
        described in that paragraph with other programs as follows:
                    (A) Programs in which the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs coordinates the delivery of housing and 
                services to homeless veterans.
                    (B) Programs for the provision of grants or per 
                diem payments to providers of services that are 
                designed to meet the needs of homeless veterans.
            (3) Criteria.--In conducting the comparison required by 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary shall examine the following:
                    (A) The satisfaction of veterans targeted by the 
                programs described in paragraph (2).
                    (B) The health status of such veterans.
                    (C) For programs that address substance use 
                disorders, the reduction in severity of such disorders 
                in such veterans.
                    (D) The housing provided such veterans under such 
                programs.
                    (E) The degree to which such veterans are 
                encouraged to productive activity by such programs.
            (4) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2009, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the results of the study required 
        by paragraph (1).

SEC. 12. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-
              INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to facilitate the 
provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families 
in permanent housing.
    (b) Financial Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter V of chapter 20 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:
``Sec. 2044. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
              income veteran families in permanent housing
    ``(a) Distribution of Financial Assistance.--(1) The Secretary 
shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities approved under 
this section to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive 
services described in subsection (b) for very low-income veteran 
families occupying permanent housing.
    ``(2) Financial assistance under this section shall consist of per 
diem payments for each such family for which an approved eligible 
entity is providing or coordinating the provision of supportive 
services.
    ``(3)(A) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for 
such purpose, the Secretary shall provide to each family for which an 
approved eligible entity is providing or coordinating the provision of 
supportive services per diem payments in the amount of the daily cost 
of care estimated by such eligible entity (as adjusted by the Secretary 
under subparagraph (C)).
    ``(B) In no case may the amount of per diem paid under this 
paragraph exceed the rate of per diem authorized for State homes for 
domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this 
title, as adjusted by the Secretary under subsection (c) of such 
section.
    ``(C) The Secretary may adjust the daily cost of care estimated by 
an eligible entity for purposes of this paragraph to exclude other 
sources of income described in subparagraph (E) that the eligible 
entity certifies to be correct.
    ``(D) Each eligible entity shall provide to the Secretary such 
information with respect to other sources of income as the Secretary 
may require to make the adjustment under subparagraph (C).
    ``(E) The other sources of income referred to in subparagraphs (C) 
and (D) are payments to the eligible entity for furnishing services to 
homeless veterans under programs other than under this subchapter, 
including payments and grants from other departments and agencies of 
the Federal Government, from departments or agencies of State or local 
government, and from private entities or organizations.
    ``(4) In providing financial assistance under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall give preference to entities providing or coordinating 
the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran 
families who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
    ``(5) The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, 
financial assistance under this subsection is equitably distributed 
across geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal 
lands.
    ``(6) Each entity receiving financial assistance under this section 
to provide supportive services to a very low-income veteran family 
shall notify that family that such services are being paid for, in 
whole or in part, by the Department.
    ``(7) The Secretary may require entities receiving financial 
assistance under this section to submit a report to the Secretary that 
describes the projects carried out with such financial assistance.
    ``(b) Supportive Services.--The supportive services referred to in 
subsection (a) are the following:
            ``(1) Services provided by an eligible entity or 
        subcontractors that address the needs of very low-income 
        veteran families occupying permanent housing, including--
                    ``(A) outreach services;
                    ``(B) health care services, including diagnosis, 
                treatment, and counseling for mental health and 
                substance abuse disorders and for post-traumatic stress 
                disorder, if such services are not readily available 
                through the Department medical center serving the 
                geographic area in which the veteran family is housed;
                    ``(C) habilitation and rehabilitation services;
                    ``(D) case management services;
                    ``(E) daily living services;
                    ``(F) personal financial planning;
                    ``(G) transportation services;
                    ``(H) vocational counseling;
                    ``(I) employment and training;
                    ``(J) educational services;
                    ``(K) assistance in obtaining veterans benefits and 
                other public benefits, including health care provided 
                by the Department;
                    ``(L) assistance in obtaining income support;
                    ``(M) assistance in obtaining health insurance;
                    ``(N) fiduciary and representative payee services;
                    ``(O) legal services to assist the veteran family 
                with reconsiderations or appeals of veterans and public 
                benefit claim denials and to resolve outstanding 
                warrants that interfere with the family's ability to 
                obtain or retain housing or supportive services;
                    ``(P) child care;
                    ``(Q) housing counseling;
                    ``(R) other services necessary for maintaining 
                independent living; and
                    ``(S) coordination of services under this 
                paragraph.
            ``(2) Services described in paragraph (1) that are 
        delivered to very low-income veteran families who are homeless 
        and who are scheduled to become residents of permanent housing 
        within 90 days pending the location or development of housing 
        suitable for permanent housing.
            ``(3) Services described in paragraph (1) for very low-
        income veteran families who have voluntarily chosen to seek 
        other housing after a period of tenancy in permanent housing, 
        that are provided, for a period of 90 days after such families 
        exit permanent housing or until such families commence receipt 
        of other housing services adequate to meet their current needs, 
        but only to the extent that services under this paragraph are 
        designed to support such families in their choice to transition 
        into housing that is responsive to their individual needs and 
        preferences.
    ``(c) Application for Financial Assistance.--(1) An eligible entity 
seeking financial assistance under subsection (a) shall submit an 
application to the Secretary in such form, in such manner, and 
containing such commitments and information as the Secretary determines 
to be necessary to carry out this section.
    ``(2) Each application submitted by an eligible entity under 
paragraph (1) shall contain--
            ``(A) a description of the supportive services proposed to 
        be provided by the eligible entity;
            ``(B) a description of the types of very low-income veteran 
        families proposed to be provided such services;
            ``(C) an estimate of the number of very low-income veteran 
        families proposed to be provided such services;
            ``(D) evidence of the experience of the eligible entity in 
        providing supportive services to very low-income veteran 
        families; and
            ``(E) a description of the managerial capacity of the 
        eligible entity to--
                    ``(i) coordinate the provision of supportive 
                services with the provision of permanent housing, by 
                the eligible entity or by other organizations;
                    ``(ii) continuously assess the needs of very low-
                income veteran families for supportive services;
                    ``(iii) coordinate the provision of supportive 
                services with the services of the Department;
                    ``(iv) tailor supportive services to the needs of 
                very low-income veteran families; and
                    ``(v) continuously seek new sources of assistance 
                to ensure the long-term provision of supportive 
                services to very low-income veteran families.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of 
eligible entities to be provided financial assistance under this 
section.
    ``(d) Technical Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide 
training and technical assistance to participating eligible entities 
regarding the planning, development, and provision of supportive 
services to very low-income veteran families occupying permanent 
housing.
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide the training described in paragraph 
(1) directly or through grants or contracts with appropriate public or 
nonprofit private entities.
    ``(e) Funding.--(1) From amounts appropriated to the Department for 
Medical Care, there shall be available to carry out this section 
amounts as follows:
            ``(A) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
            ``(B) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
            ``(C) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
    ``(2) Not more than $750,000 may be available under paragraph (1) 
in any fiscal year to provide technical assistance under subsection 
(d).
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `consumer cooperative' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 
        1701q).
            ``(2) The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a private nonprofit organization; or
                    ``(B) a consumer cooperative.
            ``(3) The term `homeless' has the meaning given that term 
        in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 11302).
            ``(4) The term `permanent housing' means community-based 
        housing without a designated length of stay.
            ``(5) The term `private nonprofit organization' means any 
        of the following:
                    ``(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 supportive 
                        services provided 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 of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of 
                subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by 
                an organization meeting the requirements of clauses 
                (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A).
                    ``(D) A tribally designated housing entity (as 
                defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing 
                Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
                U.S.C. 4103)).
            ``(6)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), 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 in accordance with this 
        paragraph.
            ``(B) The Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to 
        the income requirement under subparagraph (A) based on family 
        size.
            ``(C) The Secretary may establish an income ceiling higher 
        or lower than 50 percent of the median income for an area if 
        the Secretary determines that such variations are necessary 
        because the area has unusually high or low construction costs, 
        fair market rents (as determined under section 8 of the United 
        States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)), or family 
        incomes.
            ``(7) The term `veteran family' includes a veteran who is a 
        single person and a family in which the head of household or 
        the spouse of the head of household is a veteran.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 2043 the following new item:

``2044. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-
                            income veteran families in permanent 
                            housing.''.
    (c) Study of Effectiveness of Permanent Housing Program.--
            (1) In general.--For fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the 
        Secretary shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of the 
        permanent housing program under section 2044 of title 38, 
        United States Code, as amended by subsection (b), in meeting 
        the needs of very low-income veteran families, as that term is 
        defined in that section.
            (2) Comparison.--In the study required by paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall compare the results of the program referred 
        to in that subsection with other programs of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs dedicated to the delivery of housing and 
        services to veterans.
            (3) Criteria.--In making the comparison required in 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary shall examine the following:
                    (A) The satisfaction of veterans targeted by the 
                programs described in paragraph (2).
                    (B) The health status of such veterans.
                    (C) The housing provided such veterans under such 
                programs.
                    (D) The degree to which such veterans are 
                encouraged to productive activity by such programs.
            (4) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2009, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the results of the study required 
        by paragraph (1).
                                 <all>