I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4079 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 17, 2012 Mr. McKinley (for himself, Ms. Waters, and Mrs. Napolitano) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require recipients of grants and other assistance from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the provision of housing and other services for homeless veterans to comply with codes relevant to operations and level of care provided, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act.

2.

Conditions on the award of grants by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the provision of housing or services to homeless veterans

(a)

Condition; priority in administration

(1)

In general

Subchapter I of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

2004.

Condition on the award of grants and other assistance for the provision of housing or services to homeless veterans

(a)

Limitation

The Secretary may not make a grant or provide other assistance to any entity for the provision of housing or services to homeless veterans under this chapter unless the entity submits to the Secretary a certification that the building where the entity proposes to provide such housing or services is in compliance with codes relevant to operations and level of care provided, including the most current Life Safety Code and all applicable State and local housing codes, licensing requirements, fire and safety requirements, and any other requirements in the jurisdiction in which the project is located regarding the condition of the structure and the operation of the supportive housing or service center. (b)

Priority in administration of grants

In awarding grants and providing other assistance under this chapter, the Secretary shall give priority to an entity seeking a grant or assistance for a project that includes making improvements to a building where the entity proposes to provide housing or services to homeless veterans to ensure that such building meets codes relevant to operations and level of care provided, as required under subsection (a).

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subchapter the following new item: 2004. Condition on the award of grants and other assistance for the provision of housing or services to homeless veterans. . (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an application for a grant or other assistance under chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c)

Treatment of current recipients

In the case of the recipient of a grant or other assistance under chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, that receives grant funds or other assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the fiscal year during which this Act is enacted, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require the recipient to submit the certification required under section 2004 of such title, as added by subsection (a), by not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. If the recipient fails to submit such certification by such date, the Secretary may not make any additional payments or provide other assistance to the recipient under such chapter until the recipient submits such certification.