II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1017 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 17, 2011 Mr. Sanders 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 increase assistance for disabled veterans who are temporarily residing in housing owned by a family member, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Disabled Veteran Caregiver Housing Assistance Act of 2011.

2.

Increased assistance for disabled veterans residing in housing owned by a family member

(a)

In general

Section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (b)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking $14,000 and inserting $28,000; and (B)in paragraph (2), by striking $2,000 and inserting $5,000; (2)by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (3)by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e): (e)

Adjustment

(1)Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 2011), the Secretary shall increase the amounts described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) in accordance with this subsection. (2)The increase in amounts under paragraph (1) to take effect on October 1 of a year shall be by an amount of such amounts equal to the percentage by which— (A)the residential home cost-of-construction index for the preceding calendar year, exceeds (B)the residential home cost-of-construction index for the year preceding the year described in subparagraph (A). (3)For the purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall use the residential home cost-of-construction index established under section 2102(e)(3) of this title. . (b)

Permanent authority

Such section is further amended by striking subsection (f), as redesignated by subsection (a)(2). (c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to payments made in accordance with section 2102A of title 38, United States Code, on or after that date.

3.

Expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for veterans with vision impairment

Paragraph (2) of section 2101(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (2)A veteran is described in this paragraph if the veteran is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this title for a service-connected disability that meets any of the following criteria: (A)The disability is due to blindness in both eyes, having central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a standard correcting lens. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an eye with a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. (B)A permanent and total disability that includes the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. (C)A permanent and total disability that is due to a severe burn injury (as so determined). .

4.

Revised limitations on assistance furnished

Section 2102(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by striking under sections 2101(a) and 2102A and inserting under section 2101(a); and (2)in paragraph (2), by striking under sections 2101(b) and 2102A and inserting under section 2101(b).