[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1547 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1547

 To amend title 38, United States Code, and the United States Housing 
   Act of 1937 to enhance and expand the assistance provided by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 30, 2009

 Mr. Reed (for himself, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kerry, 
and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
    referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend title 38, United States Code, and the United States Housing 
   Act of 1937 to enhance and expand the assistance provided by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, 
                        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 ``Zero Tolerance for Veterans 
Homelessness Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) veterans are at a greater risk of becoming homeless 
        than other people in the United States, because of 
        characteristics that include--
                    (A) having employment-related skills that are 
                unique to military service and that can be difficult to 
                transfer to the civilian sector;
                    (B) combat-related health issues;
                    (C) earning minimal income or being unemployed; and
                    (D) a shortage of safe, affordable housing;
            (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that--
                    (A) 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given 
                night;
                    (B) more than 200,000 veterans experience 
                homelessness each year; and
                    (C) veterans account for nearly \1/5\ of all 
                homeless people in the United States;
            (3) approximately 1,500,000 veterans, nearly 6.3 percent of 
        the veterans in the United States, have an income that falls 
        below the Federal poverty level, and approximately 634,000 
        veterans have an income below 50 percent of the Federal poverty 
        level;
            (4) the Department of Veterans Affairs is only adequately 
        funded to respond to the health, housing, and supportive 
        services needs of approximately \1/3\ of the veterans in the 
        United States; and
            (5) it is expected that significant increases in services 
        will be needed to serve the aging veterans of the Vietnam war 
        and members of the Armed Forces returning from Operation Iraqi 
        Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

SEC. 3. PROGRAM ON PREVENTION OF VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) Program on Prevention of Veteran Homelessness.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter VII of chapter 20 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new section:
``Sec. 2067. Prevention of veteran homelessness
    ``(a) Prevention of Veteran Homelessness.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
establish a program within the Veterans Benefits Administration to 
prevent veteran homelessness by--
            ``(1) identifying in a timely fashion any veteran who is 
        homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless; and
            ``(2) providing assistance sufficient to ensure that each 
        veteran identified under paragraph (1) does not become or 
        remain homeless.
    ``(b) Types of Assistance.--The assistance provided under 
subsection (a)(2) may include the following:
            ``(1) The provision of short-term or medium-term rental 
        assistance.
            ``(2) Housing relocation and stabilization services, 
        including housing search, mediation, and outreach to property 
        owners.
            ``(3) Services to resolve personal credit issues that have 
        led to negative credit reports.
            ``(4) Assistance with paying security or utility deposits 
        and utility payments.
            ``(5) Assistance with covering costs associated with 
        moving.
            ``(6) A referral to a program of another department or 
        agency of the Federal Government.
            ``(7) Such other activities as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate to prevent veterans homelessness.
    ``(c) No Duplication of Services.--The Secretary may provide 
assistance under subsection (a)(2) to a veteran receiving supportive 
services from an eligible entity receiving financial assistance under 
section 2044 of this title only to the extent that the assistance 
provided under subsection (a)(2) does not duplicate the supportive 
services provided to such veteran by such entity.
    ``(d) Staffing.--The Secretary shall assign such employees at such 
locations as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this 
section.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2010 through 2014.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new item:

``2067. Prevention of veteran homelessness.''.
    (b) Responsibilities of Homeless Veterans Program Coordinators.--
Section 2003(a) of such title is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``The housing'' and 
        inserting ``Any housing'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new 
        paragraph (7):
            ``(7) The program under section 2067 of this title.''.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
establishment of the program required by section 2067 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of 
such program.

SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.

    (a) Enhancement of Grants.--Section 2011 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Subject to the 
        availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the'' 
        and inserting ``The'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting ``new 
        construction,'' before ``expansion''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``A grant'' 
                and inserting ``(1) A grant'';
                    (B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as 
                designated by subparagraph (A), by striking ``The 
                amount'' and inserting the following:
    ``(2) The amount''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an entity 
that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a project described 
in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis that the entity proposes to 
use funding from other private or public sources, if the entity 
demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide 
oversight and site control for the project.
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `private nonprofit organization' 
means the following:
            ``(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or 
        foundation--
                    ``(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance 
                to receive, tax-exempt status under paragraphs (2), 
                (3), or (19) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986;
                    ``(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the 
                institution or foundation inures to the benefit of any 
                member, founder, or contributor of the institution or 
                foundation; and
                    ``(III) that the Secretary determines is 
                financially responsible.
            ``(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited 
        liability company, the sole general partner of which is an 
        organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) 
        of clause (i).
            ``(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an 
        organization that is described by subclauses (I) through (III) 
        of clause (i).''.
    (b) Study and Report on Per Diem Payments.--
            (1) Study and development of payment method.--Not later 
        than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
                    (A) complete a study of all matters relating to the 
                method used by the Secretary to make per diem payments 
                under section 2012(a) of title 38, United States Code; 
                and
                    (B) develop an improved method for adequately 
                reimbursing recipients of grants under section 2011 of 
                such title for services furnished to homeless veterans.
            (2) Consideration.--In developing the method required by 
        paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may consider payments and 
        grants received by recipients of grants described in such 
        paragraph from other departments and agencies of Federal and 
        local governments and from private entities.
            (3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        submit to Congress a report on--
                    (A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to 
                the study required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
                (1);
                    (B) the method developed under subparagraph (B) of 
                such paragraph; and
                    (C) any recommendations of the Secretary for 
                revising the method described in subparagraph (A) of 
                such paragraph and any legislative action the Secretary 
                considers necessary to implement such method.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2013 of such title is 
amended by striking ``subchapter $150,000,000'' and all that follows 
through the period and inserting the following: ``subchapter--
            ``(1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            ``(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
        years 2011 through 2014.''.

SEC. 5. HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING VOUCHERS.

    Section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(19) Rental vouchers for veterans affairs supported 
        housing program.--
                    ``(A) Rental vouchers.--The Secretary shall make 
                available to public housing agencies described in 
                subparagraph (C) the amounts described in subparagraph 
                (B), to provide rental assistance through a supported 
                housing program administered in conjunction with the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs.
                    ``(B) Amount.--The amounts specified in this 
                subparagraph are the amounts necessary to ensure that--
                            ``(i) not more than 30,000 vouchers for 
                        rental assistance under this paragraph are 
                        outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 
                        2010;
                            ``(ii) not more than 40,000 vouchers for 
                        rental assistance under this paragraph are 
                        outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 
                        2011;
                            ``(iii) not more than 50,000 vouchers for 
                        rental assistance under this paragraph are 
                        outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 
                        2012; and
                            ``(iv) not more than 60,000 vouchers for 
                        rental assistance under this paragraph are 
                        outstanding at any one time during fiscal year 
                        2013 and each fiscal year thereafter.
                    ``(C) Public housing agencies.--A public housing 
                agency described in this subparagraph is a public 
                housing agency that--
                            ``(i) has a partnership with a Department 
                        of Veterans Affairs medical center or an entity 
                        determined to be appropriate by the Secretary 
                        of Veterans Affairs;
                            ``(ii) is located in an area that the 
                        Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines has a 
                        high concentration of veterans in need of 
                        assistance;
                            ``(iii) has demonstrated expertise in 
                        providing housing for homeless individuals; and
                            ``(iv) meets any other criteria that the 
                        Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary 
                        of Veterans Affairs may prescribe.
                    ``(D) Case management.--The Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs shall ensure that the case managers described 
                in section 2003(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
                provide appropriate case management for each veteran 
                who receives rental assistance under this paragraph 
                that--
                            ``(i) assists the veteran in--
                                    ``(I) locating available housing;
                                    ``(II) working with the appropriate 
                                public housing agency;
                                    ``(III) accessing benefits and 
                                health services provided by the 
                                Department of Veterans Affairs and 
                                other departments and agencies of the 
                                Federal Government;
                                    ``(IV) negotiating with landlords; 
                                and
                                    ``(V) other areas, as the Secretary 
                                determines is necessary to help the 
                                veteran maintain housing or avoid 
                                homelessness; and
                            ``(ii) ensures that a veteran with a severe 
                        disability, including a veteran that has been 
                        homeless for a substantial period of time, is 
                        referred to sufficient supportive services to 
                        provide the veteran with stable housing, 
                        including--
                                    ``(I) mental health services, 
                                including treatment and recovery 
                                support services;
                                    ``(II) substance abuse treatment 
                                and recovery support services, 
                                including counseling, treatment 
                                planning, recovery coaching, and 
                                relapse prevention;
                                    ``(III) integrated, coordinated 
                                treatment and recovery support services 
                                for co-occurring disorders;
                                    ``(IV) health education, including 
                                referrals for medical and dental care;
                                    ``(V) services designed to help 
                                individuals make progress toward self-
                                sufficiency and recovery, including job 
                                training, assistance in seeking 
                                employment, benefits advocacy, money 
                                management, life-skills training, self-
                                help programs, and engagement and 
                                motivational interventions;
                                    ``(VI) parental skills and family 
                                support; and
                                    ``(VII) other supportive services 
                                that promote an end to chronic 
                                homelessness.''.

SEC. 6. SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS IN OFFICE OF SECRETARY 
              OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

    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:
    ``(g) 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 by the Secretary, 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 that veterans have access to housing 
                and homeless assistance under each program of the 
                Department providing such assistance;
                    ``(B) coordinating all programs and activities of 
                the Department relating to veterans; and
                    ``(C) carrying out such other duties as may be 
                assigned to the Special Assistant by the Secretary or 
                by law.''.

SEC. 7. HOMELESS VETERANS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter VII of chapter 20 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 3(b), is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2068. Homeless Veterans Management Information System
    ``(a) Method for Data Collection and Aggregation.--(1) Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the 
Secretary shall, in consultation with the Special Assistant for 
Veterans Affairs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and 
the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness established under 
section 201 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
11311), establish a method for the collection and aggregation of data 
on homeless veterans participating in programs of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
including the following:
            ``(A) The age, race, sex, disability status, marital status 
        of the veteran, income, employment history, and whether the 
        veteran is a parent.
            ``(B) If the veteran received housing assistance, the 
        number of days that the veteran resided in such housing, and 
        the type of housing in which the veteran resided.
            ``(C) If the veteran is no longer participating in a 
        program, the reason the veteran left the program.
    ``(2) The method required by paragraph (1) shall be established in 
a manner that ensures that each veteran is counted only once.
    ``(b) Annual Data Collection and Aggregation.--Not later than one 
year after the method is established under subsection (a), and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary shall collect and aggregate data using the 
method established under subsection (a).
    ``(c) Annual Reports.--Not later than two years after the date of 
enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report on the data collected and aggregated under 
subsection (b).
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            ``(2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 
        through 2014.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item:

``2068. Homeless Veterans Management Information System.''.

SEC. 8. PLAN TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress 
a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans that includes--
            (1) an analysis of programs of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs and other departments and agencies of the Federal 
        Government that are designed to prevent homelessness among 
        veterans and assist veterans who are homeless;
            (2) an evaluation of whether and how partnerships between 
        the programs described in paragraph (1) would contribute to 
        ending homelessness among veterans;
            (3) recommendations for improving the programs described in 
        paragraph (1), creating partnerships between such programs, or 
        eliminating programs that are no longer effective;
            (4) recommendations for new programs to prevent and end 
        homelessness among veterans, including an estimation of the 
        cost of such programs;
            (5) a timeline for implementing the plan; and
            (6) such other information as the Secretary determines 
        necessary.
    (b) Consideration of Veterans Located in Rural Areas.--The 
analysis, evaluation, and recommendations included in the report 
required by subsection (a) shall include consideration of the 
circumstances and requirements that are unique to veterans located in 
rural areas.
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