[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 171 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H9112-H9121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOMELESS VETERANS COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2001
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2716) to amend title
38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and consolidate provisions
of law providing benefits and services for homeless veterans.
The Clerk read as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES TO
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references to title 38, United
States Code.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. National goal to end homelessness among veterans.
Sec. 4. Sense of the Congress regarding the needs of homeless veterans
and the responsibility of Federal agencies.
Sec. 5. Consolidation and improvement of provisions of law relating to
homeless veterans.
Sec. 6. Evaluation centers for homeless veterans programs.
Sec. 7. Study of outcome effectiveness of grant program for homeless
veterans with special needs.
Sec. 8. Expansion of other programs.
Sec. 9. Coordination of employment services.
Sec. 10. Use of real property.
Sec. 11. Meetings of Interagency Council on Homeless.
Sec. 12. Rental assistance vouchers for HUD Veterans Affairs Supported
Housing program.
(c) References to Title 38, United States Code.--Except as
otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to,
or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference
shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``homeless veteran'' has the meaning given
such term in section 2002 of title 38, United States Code, as
added by section 5(a)(1).
(2) The term ``grant and per diem provider'' means an
entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of
title 38, United States Code, as so added.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS.
(a) National Goal.--Congress hereby declares it to be a
national goal to end chronic homelessness among veterans
within a decade of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Cooperative Efforts Encouraged.--Congress hereby
encourages all departments and agencies of Federal, State,
and local governments, quasi-governmental organizations,
private and public sector entities, including community-based
organizations, faith-based organizations, and individuals to
work cooperatively to end chronic homelessness among veterans
within a decade.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS
VETERANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FEDERAL
AGENCIES.
It is the sense of the 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 again become productive and self-sufficient members of
society, current resources provided to such programs and
other activities that assist homeless veterans are inadequate
to provide all needed essential services, assistance, and
support to homeless veterans;
(3) the most effective programs for the assistance of
homeless veterans should be identified and expanded;
(4) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should
be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results;
(5) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should
include prevention of homelessness; and
(6) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, and the Department of Labor, should cooperate
more fully to address the problem of homelessness among
veterans.
SEC. 5. CONSOLIDATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PROVISIONS OF LAW
RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) In General.--(1) Part II is amended by inserting after
chapter 19 the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
``subchapter i--purpose; definitions; administrative matters
``Sec.
``2001. Purpose.
``2002. Definitions.
``2003. Staffing requirements.
``subchapter ii--comprehensive service programs
``2011. Grants.
``2012. Per diem payments.
``2013. Authorization of appropriations.
``subchapter iii--training and outreach
``2021. Homeless veterans reintegration programs.
``2022. Coordination of outreach services for veterans at risk of
homelessness.
``2023. Demonstration program of referral and counseling for veterans
transitioning from certain institutions who are at risk
for homelessness.
``subchapter iv--treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally
ill and homeless veterans
``2031. General treatment.
``2032. Therapeutic housing.
``2033. Additional services at certain locations.
``2034. Coordination with other agencies and organizations.
``subchapter v--housing assistance
``2041. Housing assistance for homeless veterans.
``2042. Supported housing for veterans participating in compensated
work therapies.
``2043. Domiciliary care programs.
``subchapter vi--loan guarantee for multifamily transitional housing
``2051. General authority.
``2052. Requirements.
``2053. Default.
``2054. Audit.
``subchapter vii--other provisions
``2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special needs.
``2062. Dental care.
``2063. Employment assistance.
``2064. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based
groups.
``2065. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans.
[[Page H9113]]
``2066. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.
``SUBCHAPTER I--PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS; ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
``Sec. 2001. Purpose
``The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the special
needs of homeless veterans.
``Sec. 2002. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) The term `homeless veteran' means a veteran who is
homeless (as that term is defined in section 103(a) of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)).
``(2) The term `grant and per diem provider' means an
entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of
this title.
``Sec. 2003. Staffing requirements
``(a) VBA Staffing at Regional Offices.--The Secretary
shall ensure that there is at least one full-time employee
assigned to oversee and coordinate homeless veterans programs
at each of the 20 Veterans Benefits Administration regional
offices that the Secretary determines have the largest
homeless veteran populations within the regions of the
Administration. The programs covered by such oversight and
coordination include the following:
``(1) Housing programs administered by the Secretary under
this title or any other provision of law.
``(2) Compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, and
education benefits programs administered by the Secretary
under this title or any other provision of law.
``(3) The housing program for veterans supported by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
``(4) The homeless veterans reintegration program of the
Department of Labor under section 2021 of this title.
``(5) The programs under section 2033 of this title.
``(6) The assessments required by section 2034 of this
title.
``(7) Such other programs relating to homeless veterans as
may be specified by the Secretary.
``(b) VHA Case Managers.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the number of case managers in the Veterans Health
Administration is sufficient to assure that every veteran who
is provided a housing voucher through section 8(o) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is
assigned to, and is seen as needed by, a case manager.
``SUBCHAPTER II--COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS
``Sec. 2011. Grants
``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--(1) Subject to the
availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the
Secretary shall make grants to assist eligible entities in
establishing programs to furnish, and expanding or modifying
existing programs for furnishing, the following to homeless
veterans:
``(A) Outreach.
``(B) Rehabilitative services.
``(C) Vocational counseling and training
``(D) Transitional housing assistance.
``(2) The authority of the Secretary to make grants under
this section expires on September 30, 2005.
``(b) Criteria for Grants.--The Secretary shall establish
criteria and requirements for grants under this section,
including criteria for entities eligible to receive grants,
and shall publish such criteria and requirements in the
Federal Register. The criteria established under this
subsection shall include the following:
``(1) Specification as to the kinds of projects for which
grants are available, which shall include--
``(A) expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing
buildings, or acquisition of facilities, for use as service
centers, transitional housing, or other facilities to serve
homeless veterans; and
``(B) procurement of vans for use in outreach to and
transportation for homeless veterans for purposes of a
program referred to in subsection (a).
``(2) Specification as to the number of projects for which
grants are available.
``(3) Criteria for staffing for the provision of services
under a project for which grants are made.
``(4) Provisions to ensure that grants under this section--
``(A) shall not result in duplication of ongoing services;
and
``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, shall reflect
appropriate geographic dispersion and an appropriate balance
between urban and other locations.
``(5) Provisions to ensure that an entity receiving a grant
shall meet fire and safety requirements established by the
Secretary, which shall include--
``(A) such State and local requirements that may apply; and
``(B) fire and safety requirements applicable under the
Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association
or such other comparable fire and safety requirements as the
Secretary may specify.
``(6) Specification as to the means by which an entity
receiving a grant may contribute in-kind services to the
start-up costs of a project for which a grant is sought and
the methodology for assigning a cost to that contribution for
purposes of subsection (c).
``(c) Funding Limitations.--A grant under this section may
not be used to support operational costs. The amount of a
grant under this section may not exceed 65 percent of the
estimated cost of the project concerned.
``(d) Eligible Entities.--The Secretary may make a grant
under this section to an entity applying for such a grant
only if the applicant for the grant--
``(1) is a public or nonprofit private entity with the
capacity (as determined by the Secretary) to effectively
administer a grant under this section;
``(2) demonstrates that adequate financial support will be
available to carry out the project for which the grant is
sought consistent with the plans, specifications, and
schedule submitted by the applicant; and
``(3) agrees to meet the applicable criteria and
requirements established under subsections (b) and (g) and
has, as determined by the Secretary, the capacity to meet
such criteria and requirements.
``(e) Application Requirement.--An entity seeking a grant
for a project under this section shall submit to the
Secretary an application for the grant. The application shall
set forth the following:
``(1) The amount of the grant sought for the project.
``(2) A description of the site for the project.
``(3) Plans, specifications, and the schedule for
implementation of the project in accordance with criteria and
requirements prescribed by the Secretary under subsection
(b).
``(4) Reasonable assurance that upon completion of the work
for which the grant is sought, the project will become
operational and the facilities will be used principally to
provide to veterans the services for which the project was
designed, and that not more than 25 percent of the services
provided under the project will be provided to individuals
who are not veterans.
``(f) Program Requirements.--The Secretary may not make a
grant for a project to an applicant under this section unless
the applicant in the application for the grant agrees to each
of the following requirements:
``(1) To provide the services for which the grant is made
at locations accessible to homeless veterans.
``(2) To maintain referral networks for homeless veterans
for establishing eligibility for assistance and obtaining
services, under available entitlement and assistance
programs, and to aid such veterans in establishing
eligibility for and obtaining such services.
``(3) To ensure the confidentiality of records maintained
on homeless veterans receiving services through the project.
``(4) To establish such procedures for fiscal control and
fund accounting as may be necessary to ensure proper
disbursement and accounting with respect to the grant and to
such payments as may be made under section 2012 of this
title.
``(5) To seek to employ homeless veterans and formerly
homeless veterans in positions created for purposes of the
grant for which those veterans are qualified.
``(g) Service Center Requirements.--In addition to criteria
and requirements established under subsection (b), in the
case of an application for a grant under this section for a
service center for homeless veterans, the Secretary shall
require each of the following:
``(1) That such center provide services to homeless
veterans during such hours as the Secretary may specify and
be open to such veterans on an as-needed, unscheduled basis.
``(2) That space at such center be made available, as
mutually agreeable, for use by staff of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and other
appropriate agencies and organizations in assisting homeless
veterans served by such center.
``(3) That such center be equipped and staffed to provide
or to assist in providing health care, mental health
services, hygiene facilities, benefits and employment
counseling, meals, transportation assistance, and such other
services as the Secretary determines necessary.
``(4) That such center be equipped and staffed to provide,
or to assist in providing, job training, counseling, and
placement services (including job readiness and literacy and
skills training), as well as any outreach and case management
services that may be necessary to carry out this paragraph.
``(h) Recovery of Unused Grant Funds.--(1) If a grant
recipient under this section does not establish a program in
accordance with this section or ceases to furnish services
under such a program for which the grant was made, the United
States shall be entitled to recover from such recipient the
total of all unused grant amounts made under this section to
such recipient in connection with such program.
``(2) Any amount recovered by the United States under
paragraph (1) may be obligated by the Secretary without
fiscal year limitation to carry out provisions of this
subchapter.
``(3) An amount may not be recovered under paragraph (1) as
an unused grant amount before the end of the three-year
period beginning on the date on which the grant is made.
``Sec. 2012. Per diem payments
``(a) Per Diem Payments for Furnishing Services to Homeless
Veterans.--(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations
provided for such purpose, the Secretary, pursuant to such
criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe, shall provide to a
recipient of a grant under section 2011 of this title (or an
entity eligible to receive a grant under that section which
after November 10, 1992, establishes a program that the
Secretary determines carries out the purposes described in
that section) per diem payments for services furnished to any
homeless veteran--
``(A) whom the Secretary has referred to the grant
recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant); or
``(B) for whom the Secretary has authorized the provision
of services.
``(2)(A) The rate for such per diem payments shall be the
daily cost of care estimated by the grant recipient or
eligible entity adjusted by the Secretary under subparagraph
(B). In no case may the rate determined under this paragraph
exceed the rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary
care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of
[[Page H9114]]
section 1741 of this title, as the Secretary may increase
from time to time under subsection (c) of that section.
``(B) The Secretary shall adjust the rate estimated by the
grant recipient or eligible entity under subparagraph (A) to
exclude other sources of income described in subparagraph (D)
that the grant recipient or eligible entity certifies to be
correct.
``(C) Each grant recipient or 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 (B).
``(D) The other sources of income referred to in
subparagraphs (B) and (C) are payments to the grant recipient
or 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 United States, from departments or agencies
of State or local government, and from private entities or
organizations.
``(3) In a case in which the Secretary has authorized the
provision of services, per diem payments under paragraph (1)
may be paid retroactively for services provided not more than
three days before the authorization was provided.
``(b) Inspections.--The Secretary may inspect any facility
of a grant recipient or entity eligible for payments under
subsection (a) at such times as the Secretary considers
necessary. No per diem payment may be provided to a grant
recipient or eligible entity under this section unless the
facilities of the grant recipient or eligible entity meet
such standards as the Secretary shall prescribe.
``(c) Life Safety Code.--(1) Except as provided in
paragraph (2), a per diem payment may not be provided under
this section to a grant recipient or eligible entity unless
the facilities of the grant recipient or eligible entity, as
the case may be, meet applicable fire and safety requirements
under the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection
Association or such other comparable fire and safety
requirements as the Secretary may specify.
``(2) During the five-year period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this section, paragraph (1) shall not apply
to an entity that received a grant under section 3 of the
Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992
(Public Law 102-590; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note) before that date if
the entity meets fire and safety requirements established by
the Secretary.
``(3) From amounts available for purposes of this section,
not less than $5,000,000 shall be used only for grants to
assist entities covered by paragraph (2) in meeting the Life
Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association or
such other comparable fire and safety requirements as the
Secretary may specify.
``Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subchapter amounts as follows:
``(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
``(2) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
``(3) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
``(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
``SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING AND OUTREACH
``Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans reintegration programs
``(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of
Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract,
such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to
provide job training, counseling, and placement services
(including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to
expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
labor force.
``(b) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1)
The Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as that
Secretary considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the
distribution and expenditure of funds appropriated to carry
out this section. The information shall include data with
respect to the results or outcomes of the services provided
to each homeless veteran under this section.
``(2) Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in
such form and manner as the Secretary of Labor may specify.
``(c) Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary
of Labor shall carry out this section through the Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.
``(d) Biennial Report to Congress.--Not less than every two
years, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress a
report on the programs conducted under this section. The
Secretary of Labor shall include in the report an evaluation
of services furnished to veterans under this section and an
analysis of the information collected under subsection (b).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
amounts as follows:
``(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
``(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
``(C) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
``(E) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall
remain available until expended. Funds obligated in any
fiscal year to carry out this section may be expended in that
fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year.
``Sec. 2022. Coordination of outreach services for veterans
at risk of homelessness
``(a) Outreach Plan.--The Secretary, acting through the
Under Secretary for Health, shall provide for appropriate
officials of the Mental Health Service and the Readjustment
Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration to
develop a coordinated plan for joint outreach by the two
Services to veterans at risk of homelessness, including
particularly veterans who are being discharged or released
from institutions after inpatient psychiatric care, substance
abuse treatment, or imprisonment.
``(b) Matters To Be Included.--The outreach plan under
subsection (a) shall include the following:
``(1) Strategies to identify and collaborate with non-
Department entities used by veterans who have not
traditionally used Department services to further outreach
efforts.
``(2) Strategies to ensure that mentoring programs,
recovery support groups, and other appropriate support
networks are optimally available to veterans.
``(3) Appropriate programs or referrals to family support
programs.
``(4) Means to increase access to case management services.
``(5) Plans for making additional employment services
accessible to veterans.
``(6) Appropriate referral sources for mental health and
substance abuse services.
``(c) Cooperative Relationships.--The outreach plan under
subsection (a) shall identify strategies for the Department
to enter into formal cooperative relationships with entities
outside the Department to facilitate making services and
resources optimally available to veterans.
``(d) Review of Plan.--The Secretary shall submit the
outreach plan under subsection (a) to the Advisory Committee
on Homeless Veterans for its review and consultation.
``(e) Outreach Program.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out
an outreach program to provide information to homeless
veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. The program
shall include at a minimum--
``(A) provision of information about benefits available to
eligible veterans from the Department; and
``(B) contact information for local Department facilities,
including medical facilities, regional offices, and veterans
centers.
``(2) In developing and carrying out the program under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent
practicable, consult with appropriate public and private
organizations, including the Bureau of Prisons, State social
service agencies, the Department of Defense, and mental
health, veterans, and homeless advocates--
``(A) for assistance in identifying and contacting veterans
who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
``(B) to coordinate appropriate outreach activities with
those organizations; and
``(C) to coordinate services provided to veterans with
services provided by those organizations.
``(f) Reports.--(1) Not later than October 1, 2002, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives an initial report
that contains an evaluation of outreach activities carried
out by the Secretary with respect to homeless veterans,
including outreach regarding clinical issues and other
benefits administered under this title. The Secretary shall
conduct the evaluation in consultation with the Under
Secretary for Benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs
central office official responsible for the administration of
the Readjustment Counseling Service, the Director of Homeless
Veterans Programs, and the Department of Veterans Affairs
central office official responsible for the administration of
the Mental Health Strategic Health Care Group.
``(2) Not later than December 31, 2005, the Secretary shall
submit to the committees referred to in paragraph (1) an
interim report on outreach activities carried out by the
Secretary with respect to homeless veterans. The report shall
include the following:
``(A) The Secretary's outreach plan under subsection (a),
including goals and time lines for implementation of the plan
for particular facilities and service networks.
``(B) A description of the implementation and operation of
the outreach program under subsection (e).
``(C) A description of the implementation and operation of
the demonstration program under section 2023 of this title.
``(3) Not later than July 1, 2007, the Secretary shall
submit to the committees referred to in paragraph (1) a final
report on outreach activities carried out by the Secretary
with respect to homeless veterans. The report shall include
the following:
``(A) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the outreach
plan under subsection (a).
``(B) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the outreach
program under subsection (e).
``(C) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the
demonstration program under section 2023 of this title.
``(D) Recommendations, if any, regarding an extension or
modification of such outreach plan, such outreach program,
and such demonstration program.
``Sec. 2023. Demonstration program of referral and counseling
for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who
are at risk for homelessness
``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary and the Secretary
of Labor (hereinafter in this section referred to as the
`Secretaries') shall carry out a demonstration program for
the purpose of determining the costs and benefits of
providing referral and counseling services to eligible
veterans with respect to benefits and services available to
such veterans under this title and under State law.
``(b) Location of Demonstration Program.--The demonstration
program shall be carried out in at least six locations. One
location shall be a penal institution under the jurisdiction
of the Bureau of Prisons.
``(c) Scope of Program.--(1) To the extent practicable, the
demonstration program shall provide both referral and
counseling services,
[[Page H9115]]
and in the case of counseling services, shall include
counseling with respect to job training and placement
(including job readiness), housing, health care, and other
benefits to assist the eligible veteran in the transition
from institutional living.
``(2)(A) To the extent that referral or counseling services
are provided at a location under the program, referral
services shall be provided in person during such period of
time that the Secretaries may specify that precedes the date
of release or discharge of the eligible veteran, and
counseling services shall be furnished after such date.
``(B) The Secretaries may, as part of the program, furnish
to officials of penal institutions outreach information with
respect to referral and counseling services for presentation
to veterans in the custody of such officials during the 18-
month period that precedes such date of release or discharge.
``(3) The Secretaries may enter into contracts to carry out
the referral and counseling services required under the
program with entities or organizations that meet such
requirements as the Secretaries may establish.
``(4) In developing the program, the Secretaries shall
consult with officials of the Bureau of Prisons, officials of
penal institutions of States and political subdivisions of
States, and such other officials as the Secretaries determine
appropriate.
``(d) Duration.--The authority of the Secretaries to
provide referral and counseling services under the
demonstration program shall cease on the date that is four
years after the date of the commencement of the program.
``(e) Definition.--In this section, the term `eligible
veteran' means a veteran who--
``(1) is a resident of a penal institution or an
institution that provides long-term care for mental illness;
and
``(2) is at risk for homelessness absent referral and
counseling services provided under the demonstration program
(as determined under guidelines established by the
Secretaries).
``SUBCHAPTER V--HOUSING ASSISTANCE
``Sec. 2042. Supported housing for veterans participating in
compensated work therapies
``The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans in the
compensated work therapy program to be provided housing
through the therapeutic residence program under section 2032
of this title or through grant and per diem providers under
subchapter II of this chapter.
``Sec. 2043. Domiciliary care programs
``(a) Authority.--The Secretary may establish up to 10
programs under section 1710(b) of this title (in addition to
any program that is established as of the date of the
enactment of this section) to provide domiciliary services
under such section to homeless veterans.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to establish the programs
referred to in subsection (a).
``SUBCHAPTER VII--OTHER PROVISIONS
``Sec. 2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special
needs
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program to make grants to health care facilities of the
Department and to grant and per diem providers in order to
encourage development by those facilities and providers of
programs for homeless veterans with special needs.
``(b) Homeless Veterans With Special Needs.--For purposes
of this section, homeless veterans with special needs include
homeless veterans who are--
``(1) women, including women who have care of minor
dependents;
``(2) frail elderly;
``(3) terminally ill; or
``(4) chronically mentally ill.
``(c) Funding.--(1) From amounts appropriated to the
Department for `Medical Care' for each of fiscal years 2003,
2004, and 2005, $5,000,000 shall be available for each such
fiscal year for the purposes of the program under this
section.
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that funds for grants
under this section are designated for the first three years
of operation of the program under this section as a special
purpose program for which funds are not allocated through the
Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system.
``Sec. 2062. Dental care
``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H) of
this title, outpatient dental services and treatment of a
dental condition or disability of a veteran described in
subsection (b) shall be considered to be medically necessary,
subject to subsection (c), if--
``(1) the dental services and treatment are necessary for
the veteran to successfully gain or regain employment;
``(2) the dental services and treatment are necessary to
alleviate pain; or
``(3) the dental services and treatment are necessary for
treatment of moderate, severe, or severe and complicated
gingival and periodontal pathology.
``(b) Eligible Veterans.--Subsection (a) applies to a
veteran--
``(1) who is enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of
this title; and
``(2) who, for a period of 60 consecutive days, is
receiving care (directly or by contract) in any of the
following settings:
``(A) A domiciliary under section 1710 of this title.
``(B) A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of this
title.
``(C) Community residential care coordinated by the
Secretary under section 1730 of this title.
``(D) A setting for which the Secretary provides funds for
a grant and per diem provider.
``(3) For purposes of paragraph (2), in determining whether
a veteran has received treatment for a period of 60
consecutive days, the Secretary may disregard breaks in the
continuity of treatment for which the veteran is not
responsible.
``(c) Limitation.--Dental benefits provided by reason of
this section shall be a one-time course of dental care
provided in the same manner as the dental benefits provided
to a newly discharged veteran.
``Sec. 2063. Employment assistance
``The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans receiving
care through vocational rehabilitation programs to
participate in the compensated work therapy program under
section 1718 of this title.
``Sec. 2064. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit
community-based groups
``(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program to make grants to entities or organizations with
expertise in preparing grant applications. Under the program,
the entities or organizations receiving grants shall provide
technical assistance to nonprofit community-based groups with
experience in providing assistance to homeless veterans in
order to assist such groups in applying for grants under this
chapter and other grants relating to addressing problems of
homeless veterans.
``(b) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$750,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005 to carry
out the program under this section.
``Sec. 2065. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans
``(a) Annual Report.--Not later than April 15 of each year,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
on the activities of the Department during the calendar year
preceding the report under programs of the Department under
this chapter and other programs of the Department for the
provision of assistance to homeless veterans.
``(b) General Contents of Report.--Each report under
subsection (a) shall include the following:
``(1) The number of homeless veterans provided assistance
under the programs referred to in subsection (a).
``(2) The cost to the Department of providing such
assistance under those programs.
``(3) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of
the programs of the Department in providing assistance to
homeless veterans, including--
``(A) residential work-therapy programs;
``(B) programs combining outreach, community-based
residential treatment, and case-management; and
``(C) contract care programs for alcohol and drug-
dependence or use disabilities).
``(4) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of
programs established by recipients of grants under section
2011 of this title and a description of the experience of
those recipients in applying for and receiving grants from
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to serve
primarily homeless persons who are veterans.
``(5) Any other information on those programs and on the
provision of such assistance that the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(c) Health Care Contents of Report.--Each report under
subsection (a) shall include, with respect to programs of the
Department addressing health care needs of homeless veterans,
the following:
``(1) Information about expenditures, costs, and workload
under the program of the Department known as the Health Care
for Homeless Veterans program (HCHV).
``(2) Information about the veterans contacted through that
program.
``(3) Information about program treatment outcomes under
that program.
``(4) Information about supported housing programs.
``(5) Information about the Department's grant and per diem
provider program under subchapter II of this chapter.
``(6) The findings and conclusions of the assessments of
the medical needs of homeless veterans conducted under
section 2034(b) of this title.
``(7) Other information the Secretary considers relevant in
assessing those programs.
``(d) Benefits Content of Report.--Each report under
subsection (a) shall include, with respect to programs and
activities of the Veterans Benefits Administration in
processing of claims for benefits of homeless veterans during
the preceding year, the following:
``(1) Information on costs, expenditures, and workload of
Veterans Benefits Administration claims evaluators in
processing claims for benefits of homeless veterans.
``(2) Information on the filing of claims for benefits by
homeless veterans.
``(3) Information on efforts undertaken to expedite the
processing of claims for benefits of homeless veterans.
``(4) Other information that the Secretary considers
relevant in assessing the programs and activities.
``Sec. 2066. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans
``(a) Establishment.--(1) There is established in the
Department the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Committee').
``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 15
members appointed by the Secretary from among the following:
``(A) Veterans service organizations.
``(B) Advocates of homeless veterans and other homeless
individuals.
``(C) Community-based providers of services to homeless
individuals.
[[Page H9116]]
``(D) Previously homeless veterans.
``(E) State veterans affairs officials.
``(F) Experts in the treatment of individuals with mental
illness.
``(G) Experts in the treatment of substance use disorders.
``(H) Experts in the development of permanent housing
alternatives for lower income populations.
``(I) Experts in vocational rehabilitation.
``(J) Such other organizations or groups as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
``(3) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members,
the following:
``(A) The Secretary of Labor (or a representative of the
Secretary selected after consultation with the Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment).
``(B) The Secretary of Defense (or a representative of the
Secretary).
``(C) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a
representative of the Secretary).
``(D) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or a
representative of the Secretary).
``(4)(A) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service
and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a
term of service may not exceed three years. The Secretary may
reappoint any member for additional terms of service.
``(B) Members of the Committee shall serve without pay.
Members may receive travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence for travel in connection with their
duties as members of the Committee.
``(b) Duties.--(1) The Secretary shall consult with and
seek the advice of the Committee on a regular basis with
respect to the provision by the Department of benefits and
services to homeless veterans.
``(2) In providing advice to the Secretary under this
subsection, the Committee shall--
``(A) assemble and review information relating to the needs
of homeless veterans;
``(B) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness
of the policies, organizational structures, and services of
the Department in assisting homeless veterans; and
``(C) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate means
of providing assistance to homeless veterans.
``(3) The Committee shall--
``(A) review the continuum of services provided by the
Department directly or by contract in order to define cross-
cutting issues and to improve coordination of all services
with the Department that are involved in addressing the
special needs of homeless veterans;
``(B) identify (through the annual assessments under
section 2034 of this title and other available resources)
gaps in programs of the Department in serving homeless
veterans, including identification of geographic areas with
unmet needs, and provide recommendations to address those
gaps;
``(C) identify gaps in existing information systems on
homeless veterans, both within and outside the Department,
and provide recommendations about redressing problems in data
collection;
``(D) identify barriers under existing laws and policies to
effective coordination by the Department with other Federal
agencies and with State and local agencies addressing
homeless populations;
``(E) identify opportunities for increased liaison by the
Department with nongovernmental organizations and individual
groups providing services to homeless populations;
``(F) with appropriate officials of the Department
designated by the Secretary, participate with the Interagency
Council on the Homeless under title II of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11311 et seq.);
``(G) recommend appropriate funding levels for specialized
programs for homeless veterans provided or funded by the
Department;
``(H) recommend appropriate placement options for veterans
who, because of advanced age, frailty, or severe mental
illness, may not be appropriate candidates for vocational
rehabilitation or independent living; and
``(I) perform such other functions as the Secretary may
direct.
``(c) Reports.--(1) Not later than March 31 of each year,
the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the
programs and activities of the Department that relate to
homeless veterans. Each such report shall include--
``(A) an assessment of the needs of homeless veterans;
``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the
Department designed to meet such needs;
``(C) a review of the activities of the Committee; and
``(D) such recommendations (including recommendations for
administrative and legislative action) as the Committee
considers appropriate.
``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a copy of the report, together with any
comments and recommendations concerning the report that the
Secretary considers appropriate.
``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such
other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers
appropriate.
``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report
submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this
title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the
Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous
annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to that
section.
``(d) Termination.--The Committee shall cease to exist
December 31, 2006.''.
(2) The tables of chapters before part I and at the
beginning of part II are each amended by inserting after the
item relating to chapter 19 the following new item:
``20. Benefits for Homeless Veterans........................2001''.....
(b) Health Care.--(1) Subchapter VII of chapter 17 is
transferred to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)),
inserted after section 2023 (as so added), and redesignated
as subchapter IV, and sections 1771, 1772, 1773, and 1774
therein are redesignated as sections 2031, 2032, 2033, and
2034, respectively.
(2) Subsection (a)(3) of section 2031, as so transferred
and redesignated, is amended by striking ``section 1772 of
this title'' and inserting ``section 2032 of this title''.
(c) Housing Assistance.--Section 3735 is transferred to
chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)), inserted after the
heading for subchapter V, and redesignated as section 2041.
(d) Multifamily Transitional Housing.--(1) Subchapter VI of
chapter 37 (other than section 3771) is transferred to
chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)) and inserted after
section 2043 (as so added), and sections 3772, 3773, 3774,
and 3775 therein are redesignated as sections 2051, 2052,
2053, and 2054, respectively.
(2) Such subchapter is amended--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``FOR HOMELESS VETERANS'';
(B) in subsection (d)(1) of section 2051, as so transferred
and redesignated, by striking ``section 3773 of this title''
and inserting ``section 2052 of this title''; and
(C) in subsection (a) of section 2052, as so transferred
and redesignated, by striking ``section 3772 of this title''
and inserting ``section 2051 of this title''.
(3) Section 3771 is repealed.
(e) Repeal of Codified Provisions.--The following
provisions of law are repealed:
(1) Sections 3, 4, and 12 of the Homeless Veterans
Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-
590; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note).
(2) Section 1001 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act
of 1994 (Public Law 103-446; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note).
(3) Section 4111.
(4) Section 738 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11448).
(f) Extension of Expiring Authorities.--Subsection (b) of
section 2031, as redesignated by subsection (b)(1), and
subsection (d) of section 2033, as so redesignated, are
amended by striking ``December 31, 2001'' and inserting
``December 31, 2006''.
(g) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 17 is amended by striking the item
relating to subchapter VII and the items relating to sections
1771, 1772, 1773, and 1774.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 is
amended--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 3735; and
(B) by striking the item relating to subchapter VI and the
items relating to sections 3771, 3772, 3773, 3774, and 3775.
(3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 4111.
SEC. 6. EVALUATION CENTERS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS.
(a) Evaluation Centers.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall support the continuation within the Department of
Veterans Affairs of at least one center for evaluation to
monitor the structure, process, and outcome of programs of
the Department of Veterans Affairs that address homeless
veterans.
(b) Annual Program Assessment.--Section 2034(b), as
transferred and redesignated by section 5(b)(1), is amended--
(1) by inserting ``annual'' in paragraph (1) after ``to
make an''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(6) The Secretary shall review each annual assessment
under this subsection and shall consolidate the findings and
conclusions of each such assessment into the next annual
report submitted to Congress under section 2065 of this
title.''.
SEC. 7. STUDY OF OUTCOME EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct
a study of the effectiveness during fiscal year 2002 through
fiscal year 2004 of the grant program under section 2061 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by section 5(a), in
meeting the needs of homeless veterans with special needs (as
specified in that section). As part of the study, the
Secretary shall compare the results of programs carried out
under that section, in terms of veterans' satisfaction,
health status, reduction in addiction severity, housing, and
encouragement of productive activity, with results for
similar veterans in programs of the Department or of grant
and per diem providers that are designed to meet the general
needs of homeless veterans.
(b) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2005, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report setting forth
the results of the study under subsection (a).
SEC. 8. EXPANSION OF OTHER PROGRAMS.
(a) Access to Mental Health Services.--Section 1706 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) The Secretary shall ensure that each primary care
health care facility of the Department develops and carries
out a plan to provide mental health services, either through
referral or direct provision of services, to veterans who
require such services.''.
(b) Comprehensive Homeless Services Program.--Subsection
(b) of section 2033, as transferred and redesignated by
section 5(b)(1), is amended--
(1) by striking ``not fewer'' in the first sentence and all
that follows through ``services) at''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The
Secretary shall carry out the program under this section in
sites in at least
[[Page H9117]]
each of the 20 largest metropolitan statistical areas.''.
(c) Access to Substance Use Disorder Services.--Section
1720A is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(d)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that each medical
center of the Department develops and carries out a plan to
provide treatment for substance use disorders, either through
referral or direct provision of services, to veterans who
require such treatment.
``(2) Each plan under paragraph (1) shall make available
clinically proven substance abuse treatment methods,
including opioid substitution therapy, to veterans with
respect to whom a qualified medical professional has
determined such treatment methods to be appropriate.''.
SEC. 9. COORDINATION OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
(a) Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program.--Section 4103A(c)
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(11) Coordination of employment services with training
assistance provided to veterans by entities receiving funds
under section 2021 of this title.''.
(b) Local Veterans' Employment Representatives.--Section
4104(b) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (11);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (12) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(13) coordinate employment services with training
assistance provided to veterans by entities receiving funds
under section 2021 of this title.''.
SEC. 10. USE OF REAL PROPERTY.
(a) Limitation on Declaring Property Excess to the Needs of
the Department.--Section 8122(d) is amended by inserting
before the period at the end the following: ``and is not
suitable for use for the provision of services to homeless
veterans by the Department or by another entity under an
enhanced-use lease of such property under section 8162 of
this title''.
(b) Waiver of Competitive Selection Process for Enhanced-
Use Leases for Properties Used To Serve Homeless Veterans.--
Section 8162(b)(1) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(b)(1)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) In the case of a property that the Secretary
determines is appropriate for use as a facility to furnish
services to homeless veterans under chapter 20 of this title,
the Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease with a
provider of homeless services without regard to the selection
procedures required under subparagraph (A).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (b)
shall apply to leases entered into on or after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 11. MEETINGS OF INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESS.
Section 202(c) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11312(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of its
Chairperson or a majority of its members, but not less often
than annually.''.
SEC. 12. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS
SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM.
Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(19) Rental vouchers for veterans affairs supported
housing program.--
``(A) Set aside.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the
Secretary shall set aside, from amounts made available for
rental assistance under this subsection, the amounts
specified in subparagraph (B) for use only for providing such
assistance through a supported housing program administered
in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such
program shall provide rental assistance on behalf of homeless
veterans who have chronic mental illnesses or chronic
substance use disorders, shall require agreement of the
veteran to continued treatment for such mental illness or
substance use disorder as a condition of receipt of such
rental assistance, and shall ensure such treatment and
appropriate case management for each veteran receiving such
rental assistance.
``(B) Amount.--The amount specified in this subparagraph
is--
``(i) for fiscal year 2003, the amount necessary to provide
500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection;
``(ii) for fiscal year 2004, the amount necessary to
provide 1,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this
subsection;
``(iii) for fiscal year 2005, the amount necessary to
provide 1,500 vouchers for rental assistance under this
subsection; and
``(iv) for fiscal year 2006, the amount necessary to
provide 2,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this
subsection.
``(C) Funding through incremental assistance.--In any
fiscal year, to the extent that this paragraph requires the
Secretary to set aside rental assistance amounts for use
under this paragraph in an amount that exceeds the amount set
aside in the preceding fiscal year, such requirement shall be
effective only to such extent or in such amounts as are or
have been provided in appropriation Acts for such fiscal year
for incremental rental assistance under this subsection.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, earlier this year at a hearing on homeless veterans,
our committee heard some very compelling testimony from several
veterans who themselves had been homeless, including Stuart Collick, a
39-year-old veteran from New Jersey. Stuart had joined the all-
volunteer Army at the age of 23. He could think of no higher calling
than serving his country, and serve he did. He had combat experience in
Grenada, and later distinguished himself as an infantryman in the
Persian Gulf War.
He holds the Army Service Ribbon with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the
Southwest Asia Service Ribbon; three Bronze Star medals; three Good
Conduct medals, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge, among other
official recognition. He served with distinction, and he did his duty.
But combat leaves indelible marks and can leave scars that sometimes
fail to heal. Mr. Collick left the Army in 1992, a disillusioned man,
and he began drinking, then he turned to hard drug use. Within 5 years
of discharge, he had lost his job, his family and his home, and was on
the streets. His life, like many homeless, addicted veterans, was in
total chaos.
Last year, Stuart Collick found the VA Homeless Assistance Program of
New Jersey. With VA help, and a growing faith in God, he turned his
life around, finding new ways to cope and to overcome. He found a job
and his own apartment. He developed new friendships, and reestablished
relationships with his family. Today, he is working as a carpenter and
foreman on the VA's Veterans Construction Team at Lyons, New Jersey,
helping to build a commercial greenhouse and teaching other homeless
veterans how to build something positive. Today, Stuart is a role
model, an inspiration to his fellow veterans in early recovery and
drawing strength from his own experiences in the Army and his life.
Unfortunately, for each Stuart Collick, there are thousands of other
homeless veterans living on America's streets. In fact, the Department
of Veterans Affairs estimates there are 225,000 homeless veterans on
any given night. Other organizations believe that the number is closer
to 300,000. Either number is far too high and a national scandal.
Madam Speaker, this historic legislation before the House today, H.R.
2716, is designed to provide assistance to homeless men and women, with
a national goal of ending chronic homelessness among veterans within 10
years.
When I introduced the homeless assistance legislation earlier this
year, it had four overarching themes: Prevention; innovation;
accountability and funding programs that work. After months of effort
on the part of the Committee on Veterans Affairs and our staff in both
bodies, I am proud to report that our final compromise legislation
reflects these principles.
Madam Speaker, it is difficult to pinpoint any one cause of
homelessness among our veterans. We know, however, that direct exposure
to combat is often associated with later readjustment problems. We know
that a majority of homeless veterans today suffer from mental
illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, illegal substance
abuse often complicates their situation as well.
As indicated in a recent Washington Post article, ``The woeful
failure to provide appropriate treatment and ongoing follow-up care has
sent many individuals spinning through an endless revolving door of
hospital admission and readmissions, jails and public shelters.
America's jails and prisons are now surrogate psychiatric hospitals.''
Madam Speaker, what a sad commentary that this is our approach to
dealing with this vexing problem, and it need not be. Madam Speaker, a
provision in H.R. 2716 authorizes an innovative demonstration program
to learn whether early intervention can prevent homelessness among
institutionalized veterans. The program would be carried out at 6
demonstration sites, including jails and prisons. The purpose of this
program is to provide incarcerated veterans with referral and
counseling about job training, housing, health care, and other needs to
assist the veteran in the transition from institutional living back to
normal life.
[[Page H9118]]
Madam Speaker, the consensus legislation now before the House adds
funds to programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing
chronic homelessness among veterans. One such program coordinates the
resources of several responsible Federal agencies in dealing with
homelessness. Our agreement adopts the House provision which would
authorize 2,000 additional HUD section 8 low-income housing vouchers
for homeless veterans in need of permanent housing. These veterans must
be enrolled in VA health care and priority will be given to veterans
under care for mental illness or substance-use disorders.
Another program with demonstrated effectiveness is the VA's
domiciliary program, currently operating in 35 locations. Our bill will
authorize $10 million for 10 new ``VA Domiciliary for Homeless
Veterans'' programs. These programs, like the successful one at the VA
in Lyons, New Jersey, have proven highly effective. They are not the
entire solution, but they appear to obtain very good results, and I
believe we need to have more of them.
The bill improves and expands VA's homeless grant program, which
works with community-based and nonprofit providers to target services
for homeless veterans. Current participants are already contributing
substantially to the fulfillment of this bill's objective: To reduce
homelessness and provide for the specialty needs of homeless veterans.
The bill authorizes $285 million over 4 years for this program. It also
provides a new mechanism for setting the per diem payment so that it
can be adjusted on a regular basis without red tape.
The Department of Labor's Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program has
a proven track record of helping veterans rejoin the labor force. H.R.
2716 extends and increases the authorization level to $250 million over
5 years for this effective program.
Employment is an important key to helping homeless veterans rejoin
American society, but employment is not possible unless a homeless
veteran has access to quality health and dental care, and other
supportive services. The compromise expands access to these services in
an innovative way.
These are just a few of the highlights of the comprehensive bill, the
``Homeless Veterans' Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001.'' It will
provide new assistance to homeless veterans, lift them up to a
sustainable level and prevent them from returning to a state of
homelessness, and help them become self-sufficient individuals,
accountable for their own actions. This bill also holds accountable
grant and contract recipients to perform their promised services in
exchange for government investments, and promotes a greater opportunity
for departments to work together to provide the best possible outcomes.
It also sponsors prevention of homelessness in high-risk groups within
the veteran population. And, it provides more authority and funds for
programs that have proven themselves successful in reducing
homelessness.
I would like to commend a number of people, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Evans) who has been a tireless worker working on behalf
of homeless veterans. We have worked very cooperatively on this
legislation. He has been a friend and ally in its crafting, along with
staff on both sides of the aisle, Pat Ryan, who is our committee staff
counsel as well as our committee's chief of staff. I would like to
thank so many people who contributed to this legislation and those who
inspire like Jerry Colbert.
Madam Speaker, my wife and I were greatly moved by the National
Memorial Day concert produced by Jerry Colbert here at the Capitol and
the emphasis it placed on homelessness. This is a good bill, and
deserves the support of every Member of this body.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. EVANS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2716. I
commend and thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his
effective leadership on this legislation. I thank the many other
Members who have supported this legislation, and also salute the staff
who contributed to this bill before us today. I appreciate the work of
the Committee staff, and in particular, the work of Susan Edgerton and
Sandra McClellan of my staff for their contributions to this measure.
This bill will greatly benefit our homeless veterans, and it is a
bipartisan measure in the best tradition of this committee. The
legislation contains provisions which I originally proposed in H.R.
936, and also contains provisions authored by the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith). The bipartisan legislation now on the floor is
worthy of the strong support of every Member of this body.
H.R. 2716 recognizes and addresses the needs of a special group of
veterans, our Nation's homeless veterans. The preponderance of the
evidence is that the male population of veterans suggests a compelling
need for legislation that specifically addresses the needs of this
extremely complex and vulnerable population.
The legislation before the House today will greatly benefit our
homeless veterans. It maintains the focus of my original bill which
emphasizes mental health and substance use disorder treatment as
essential building blocks in the effort to restore veterans'
functionality and independence.
There are simply not enough vital substance abuse and mental health
programs today to help veterans onto the path of sobriety and increased
functionality. Additional resources are needed to help more homeless
veterans and this legislation provides needed added resources.
Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation, and include
for the Record a summary explanation of this legislation.
Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001--H.R. 2716, as
amended
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise,
improve, and consolidate provisions of law providing benefits
and services for homeless veterans, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2716, as amended would:
1. Provide that this bill may be cited as the ``Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001''.
2. Establish a national goal to end chronic homelessness
among veterans and encourage all governmental and private
agencies to work together to achieve this goal.
3. Provide a ``Sense of the Congress'' regarding the needs
of homeless veterans and the responsibility of federal
agencies in meeting these needs.
4. Consolidate and improve laws relating to homeless
veterans into a new chapter of title 38, United States Code.
Include provisions to increase per diem payments for the care
of homeless veterans by community providers up to the rates
paid to state home domiciliaries, authorize appropriations
for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, coordinate
outreach services among agencies dealing with homeless
individuals, and undertake an outreach demonstration program
within VA. Other provisions would authorize establishment of
a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, a
limited dental care benefit for veterans using VA homeless
programs, technical assistance grants to nonprofit community
based groups, and establish an Advisory Committee on Homeless
Veterans.
5. Establish evaluation centers for programs that serve
homeless veterans and require reports of annual program
assessments to be submitted to Congress.
6. Require a study of outcome effectiveness of a new grant
program for homeless veterans with special needs.
7. Require VA to develop a plan to provide mental health
services at all VA primary care sites; expand the
comprehensive homeless service center program; and require a
plan to provide substance use disorder treatment, including
opioid substitution therapy at every VA medical center.
8. Require disabled veterans' outreach program specialists
and local veterans' employment representatives to coordinate
employment services with entities receiving financial
assistance under homeless veterans' reintegration programs.
9. Establish priorities for homeless programs when VA
considers disposing of real property or entering into
enhanced-use lease arrangements.
10. Require an annual meeting of the Interagency Council on
Homeless.
11. Set aside rental assistance vouchers for HUD VA-
Supported Housing Program.
Effective Date: Date of enactment.
Cost: The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of
H.R. 2716, as amended, would authorize funding or modify
provisions governing discretionary spending in additional
outlays of about $90 million in 2002 and about $945 million
over the 2002-2006 period, assuming appropriation of the
necessary amounts. Because the bill would not affect direct
spending or receipts, pay-as-you-go procedures would not
apply.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H9119]]
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons).
Mr. SIMMONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this
legislation, and I commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith)
and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for their support of this
important bill. I also thank Heather French Henry, who has worked
tirelessly to bring the plight of homeless veterans to the attention of
our Nation.
This bipartisan bill sets a new national standard to end chronic
homelessness for veterans in 10 years.
{time} 1600
It has been estimated that 345,000 veterans will benefit from this
legislation with assistance in housing, health care, mental health
services, job training, dental care and so on and so forth.
As a Vietnam veteran, I know firsthand the importance of helping
military personnel who are returning from a war zone. They have to deal
with the issue of reintroducing themselves to society. For many, the
emotional strains of war are more than they can bear. Many veterans
have found themselves unable to cope with the expectations of returning
to civilian life. They have problems on the job, they have problems
with their family, and they get into a downward spiral that ultimately
ends up with homelessness. Under the provisions of this legislation,
government agencies and private agencies will provide these veterans
with the support they need. It will provide them with per diem
payments, greater access to outreach programs, mental health services,
dental services, and so on and so forth.
Ending chronic homelessness will not be an easy task, but this is a
piece of legislation that will bring us much closer to that important
goal.
Madam Speaker, our veterans were there when we needed them. Now it is
our turn. We should be there when they need us.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Reyes).
Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2716, the
Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. I want to thank
the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from New Jersey; and
our ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois, for responding in a
bipartisan fashion to the needs of our Nation's homeless veterans. I
fully support the bill's goal of ending chronic homelessness among our
Nation's veterans within a decade.
I am pleased to see that the bill requires dedicated employees at
Veterans Administration regional offices to serve large numbers of our
homeless veterans. It is difficult enough for veterans who are not
coping with the hardships of homelessness to navigate through the VA
bureaucracy. Our homeless veterans often need special assistance. This
bill will provide it.
Madam Speaker, I would like to direct my remarks today to the great
need of some of our most severely disabled and mentally ill homeless
veterans. This bill contains a number of provisions to address the
special needs of chronically mentally ill homeless veterans. It
encourages the VA to make grants targeted to the chronically mentally
ill. It requires access to mental health services and substance abuse
treatment at VA health care facilities. These veterans clearly need
more intensive services in order to achieve stable housing and maximum
independence, even if employability is not a realistic goal.
As a Vietnam veteran myself, I know that during that time a number of
individuals were accepted into military service who would not have been
accepted for service under normal criteria. Some of these veterans were
further traumatized by their military experience and have suffered ever
since with severe mental health and substance abuse problems. Those
veterans who became homeless as a result of these problems deserve our
support.
To ensure that mentally ill veterans do not become homeless, I
support expansion of programs to provide mental health services to our
veterans. As the number of community-based outpatient clinics has
increased, I continue to hear of inadequate access to mental health
care and substance abuse treatment services. Veterans who are seriously
mentally ill need access to health care and to treatment just as those
who have other serious illnesses. Ensuring a plan for mental health
treatment available through each VA primary care clinic will provide
the access needed by our veterans.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this effort to address the
longstanding problem of chronic homelessness among those who have
served our Nation proudly. I urge all Members to support this bill,
H.R. 2716.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Just let me close, Mr. Speaker, by again thanking the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Evans) for his partnership in working on this
legislation. I also appreciate the work of our colleagues in the
Senate, Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Specter, who toiled in
good faith with us on behalf of finding consensus on this legislation
that satisfies the needs and really does address the problem to truly
make a difference. I want to recognize the staffs who contributed so
much to these efforts, including our chief of staff and general counsel
Pat Ryan, Kingston Smith, Michael Durishin, Susan Edgerton, John
Bradley, Peter Dirkenson, Bill Brew, Bill Tuerk, Alexandra Sardegna,
Bill Cahill, Kimberly Cowins, Perry Lange, Debbie Smith, Summer Larson,
Jeannie McNally, as well as counsels in both bodies, Bob Cover, Pierre
Poisson and Charlie Armstrong, as well as several others who worked
together to accomplish a truly remarkable bill that in the future will
be seen as a tremendous contribution to solving a perplexing national
problem for veterans. I commend all our Members on both sides of the
aisle, and in both Houses, for their support in moving this legislation
as well.
On behalf of homeless veterans, Mr. Speaker, who need these services,
I want to particularly honor Stuart Collick, Walter McConnell, Angela
Gipson and other formerly homeless veterans of my own State who serve
as inspirations and role models, and for all of those who aid them in
their ongoing efforts to solve this problem, one veteran at a time,
trying to rescue one life at a time.
General Leave
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Otter). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Senate has acted
quickly to pass this important piece of legislation to assist homeless
veterans. I would like to thank our distinguished chairman and ranking
member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for crafting this
bipartisan legislation that targets the specialized needs of an often
neglected population within the veterans community, the homeless, which
have very little access to services.
The VA issued a report last year on homeless veterans. It found that
during 1999 there were an estimated 350,000 homeless veterans, an
increase of 34 percent above the 1998 estimate. Things are getting
worse instead of better. Many of our homeless veterans suffer from
posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses in addition to
drug addiction. Unfortunately, the VA has cut the number of inpatient
beds in half.
We heard forceful testimony in committee that the lack of inpatient
beds has adversely affected the quality of care for veterans who suffer
from substance abuse, many of whom are homeless. The VA admitted during
a hearing that they have not met 1996 capacity requirements for
substance abuse.
So while I am happy that H.R. 2716 authorizes more resources for
homeless programs and promotes greater accountability and oversight for
these programs, I have concerns with some of
[[Page H9120]]
the VA policies which may hinder implementation. In particular, the
VA's move from inpatient hospital settings to community-based clinics
may have unintentionally turned homeless veterans away from treatment.
Therefore, I hope that this legislation will enable the VA to better
serve this population through aggressive outreach efforts and to render
much needed services as quickly as possible.
The events of the recent past have reminded us that our Nation's
peace and security must be protected at any cost. Those men and women
who answer the call to defend our democracy when it is under attack
should be assured that we will take care of them when they are in
crisis.
Mr. Speaker, I want to reemphasize the importance of these programs
for our homeless veterans, and I want to encourage the importance of
making sure that we have caseworkers out there that reach out to these
veterans. Too many times, these veterans, as we well know, suffer from
mental health problems. They are not the type to come in for an
appointment. We have to make sure that we reach out to them and make
sure that we provide that access to that service. When we look at a lot
of these veterans, these are the same ones that might be suffering from
substance abuse as a way of trying to correct their problems with
mental health and trying to protect themselves.
In closing, let me just say, Mr. Speaker, I urge that my colleagues
support H.R. 2716.
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, last week, we commemorated the 60th
anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. That single event changed
the history of the world, and altered the paths of all Americans. No
one was more affected, however, than the World War II veterans who
picked up arms in response to that attack. Ceremonies all across the
nation honored them for their sacrifices last Friday, including one in
which I was proud to participate on the U.S.S. Enterprise.
There can be no greater exhibition of gratitude, however, than
passage of legislation that improves the lives of those veterans and
expands upon the benefits that they have richly earned. For months now,
several bills passed by the House to help our veterans have awaited
action by the other chamber. Today, I am pleased to join my colleagues
in finally passing some of them and sending them to the President for
his signature into law.
The first bill sets a high, but I think attainable goal, of ending
chronic homelessness among veterans. Far too many of the brave men and
women who fought to provide us with freedom spend their days and nights
on the streets and in shelters. They returned from the battlefield but
were unable to make the transition back to their civilian lives. Given
the great sacrifices they have made on our behalf, we should be able to
make a real effort to help them find their place in our society where
they can feel welcome and comfortable. As many as 300,000 veterans
sleep on the streets on any given night. The $1 billion authorized by
this legislation over the next five years will go far to help them find
peace and shelter.
The second bill provides a 2.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for
veterans disability compensation. For 100 percent disabled veterans,
this translates into an average of $738 each year. These men and women
sacrificed their ability to do many routine tasks, including work, when
they put on the uniform and were wounded. This legislation merely helps
them keep pace with inflation, so that they can pay their bills and
live their lives. It is a modest increase compared to what they have
given.
The final bill consolidates several bills considered by the House
that increase education, housing, burial, and disability benefits for
veterans by $3.1 billion over the next five years. Specifically, the
bill increases the popular and successful Montgomery GI Bill college
education benefit by 51 percent over current levels, increases the
veterans home loan guaranty by nearly $10,000, and increases grants for
disabled veterans' implements. Furthermore this bill expands the list
of illnesses for which veterans can qualify for disability compensation
and will repeal the 30-year presumptive period for respiratory cancers
associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides.
Together, these bills are a fitting way to thank our veterans and to
extend a promise to the millions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen,
and Marines that are now serving in uniform. Without these men and
women, the world would be far less secure and the future would be
bleak. I am proud to be a part of the effort to show our thanks.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2716,
the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001. I urge my colleagues to
join in supporting this timely, appropriate legislation.
This legislation authorizes, in addition to the current existing
program, 500 Department of Housing and Urban Development low-income
housing vouchers per year for the next four years. Along with this, the
bill also requires the Veterans Health Administration to increase the
number of caseworkers so that all veterans who receive such a housing
voucher will be seen by a case manager.
The legislation also requires the VA to ensure the accuracy of its
reporting system on: the demand for services by homeless veterans, the
level of understanding among grant recipients of their responsibility
to serve homeless veterans, and the development of an evaluation system
to analyze the progress of veterans enrolled in the program, and on the
overall effectiveness of the various homeless programs. The Secretary
is also given the authority to rescind or recover homeless grant funds
from those programs that fail to meet their established guidelines for
using such money with relation to offering services to homeless
veterans.
In terms of specific funding, the bill provides $60 million for FY
2002 for the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Grant and Per Diem
Program, and raises this amount to $75 million for FYs 2003-2005.
Moreover, it also directs the VA Secretary to establish 10 new
domiciliary for homeless veterans programs, and authorizes $5 million
per year for this purpose beginning in 2003.
Finally, the legislation strengthens and expands job training and
counseling services offered through the Department of Labor's Homeless
Veterans Reintegration Program. Additional services are authorized
through the creation of a demonstration project in six locations for
veterans in institutional confinement, particularly those with
substances abuse problems or mental illnesses. These services are
designed to facilitate the successful reintegration of the veteran into
productive society.
The issue of homeless veterans is one of our government's more
significant failures with regards to military and social policy. Every
night thousands of veterans sleep on the streets or inside shelters.
Additionally, many of these individuals have criminal records,
substance abuse problems, and are often mentally ill.
Simply put, this is inexcusable. These veterans answered their
country's call to service in their prime years. We as a nation have an
obligation to these men and women to ensure that they at least have a
roof over their head, and whatever assistance they may require to deal
with the demons of mental illness or substance abuse.
This bill takes a significant step towards that goal. Accordingly, I
urge my colleagues to lend it their wholehearted support.
Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak
today concerning H.R. 2716, the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act. In
this time of war, we have many of our men and women in uniform fighting
for the security of the free world in Afghanistan. As a cosponsor of
this legislation, I am proud that Congress has remembered its
responsibility to those who fought before--in the Gulf War, Vietnam,
Korea, World War II, and the myriad other conflicts our nation has
faced.
This legislation attempts to resolve a problem that has long plagued
veterans: homelessness. While our nation is fortunate to have many
businesses that welcome veterans with open arms, some veterans return
from service without being able to reintegrate into society easily.
Many of these men and women end up on the streets, without a home. It
is terrible that these valiant soldiers could fight for their country,
protect freedom and liberty, and then return home to nothing.
This legislation calls on the United States to eliminate chronic
homelessness among our nation's veterans within ten years--a very
admirable goal. It authorizes 2,000 Housing and Urban Development low-
income housing vouchers to be disseminated to homeless veterans. It
establishes programs to provide counseling services to certain
veterans, offer technical assistance to non-profit organizations
working to alleviate veteran homelessness, improve veteran dental
services, and requires Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Program
centers in the 20 largest U.S. cities.
I am grateful, Mr. Speaker, for the work that my colleagues have done
to see this legislation move forward. I am even more grateful for the
dedication and sacrifice that our veterans have given to preserve our
freedom. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and ask my colleagues
to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 2716.
Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman
Smith for his hard work in making sure this measure was considered by
the Senate so it could become law in this session of Congress. I also
want to thank Chairman Stearns and Ranking Member Filner of the Health
Subcommittee for their hard work on this legislation.
The Stuart Collick-Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance
Act establishes as a national goal an end to chronic
[[Page H9121]]
homelessness among veterans and encourages all governmental and private
agencies to work together to achieve this goal.
It is the responsibility of the federal government to see to the
needs of homeless veterans and the responsibility of federal agencies
in meeting those needs. This bill does this by authorizing 10 new
Domiciliary for Homeless Veterans programs; $285 million over four
years for the Homeless Grant and Per Diem program; $250 million over
five years for the Labor Department's Homeless Veterans Reintegration
Program to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the
labor force; and it earmarks $10 million over three years for medical
care for homeless veterans with special needs, including older
veterans, women, substance abusers and those with post-traumatic-stress
disorder.
I believe so strongly in this issue that I donated personal property
to the cause. The Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation has worked
hard to make my dream a reality. The house assists homeless veterans by
supplying transitional housing as well as needed supportive services.
We must work together. I have been touched by the number of people who
are asking to help since they saw the story on the news.
I am pleased that this measure is being considered this session and
urge its passage.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate
amendments to the House passed Homeless Veterans Assistance Act and
Veterans Benefits Act. These amendments will provide greater care for
our nation's veterans and will help America keep its promise to protect
the men and women that have done so much to protect America.
I supported the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act when it passed the
House of Representatives, and now, I support the Senate-passed version
because it does much more. This bill will provide new programs, and
will modify existing programs, to furnish a multitude of services for
homeless veterans. These services include outreach, rehabilitation,
vocational counseling and training, and transitional housing assistance
to homeless veterans. In other words, this bill seeks to fight the
causes of veterans' homelessness at their root.
Mr. Speaker, as many as 80,000 of our country's 3 million homeless
are in the city of Chicago, Many of these are veterans. There are few
things as tragic as the sight of the homeless set against the
background of a society with so much wealth and prosperity. We have the
responsibility to do more. This bill is a modest step in the right
direction. Providing veterans with the best possible benefits and
rewarding them for their tremendous service to our country is important
to me. I believe we must ensure that veterans' programs are
sufficiently funded. Providing the means for disenfranchised veterans
to renew their lives is the very least we can do.
I also supported the Veterans Benefits Act when it passed the House
because it provides a cost of living adjustment for the rates of
veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for
dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children,
and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and
children. This legislation seeks to ensure that our veterans and their
families are not- left behind in the struggle to move forward in these
pressuring economic times.
I believe that veterans who served our country deserve the fairest
treatment available and that our national priorities must recognize the
contributions of all military personnel. This Congress should remain
committed to our veterans and work to ensure that they are provided the
best possible service. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the
Senate amendments to the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act and the
Veterans Benefits Act.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2716, the Homeless
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. This homeless bill
retains the best components of two individuals bills, introduced by
Ranking Member Evans and Chairman Smith. I was an original co-sponsor
of H.R. 936, the Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act
introduced by Ranking Member Evans and later in the Senate as S. 736 by
Senator Paul Wellstone, because I believed it would enhance effective
programs serving homeless veterans, such as community based ``grant and
per diem'' care, the homeless veterans reintegration program, and the
comprehensive homeless veterans centers. In particular, the bill
emphasizes the VA's mental health and substance abuse programs--
programs that help veterans achieve the stability they need in order to
move toward rebuilding productive lives.
I also believe H.R. 936 would address gaps in VA's care continuum
that have been identified by homeless veterans their advocates, such as
dental care and outreach to prevent veterans at risk for homelessness.
It allows innovative new grant programs to address the needs of
veterans whose needs may not be addressed by mainstream programs--
programs for terminally ill veterans, veterans with ``dual diagnosis'',
that is mental illness and substance abuse disorders, frail elderly
veterans, and women.
In Committee hearings, Members from both sides of the aisle
identified both the medical necessity and the social importance of a
dental benefit in helping veterans regain their footing in society. I
believe dental care is an important, but underemphasized part of the VA
health care system. This is a small, but critical step we can take
toward making this service available to additional veterans.
I also appreciate elements of Chairman Smith's bill, the Homeless
Veterans' Assistance Act. I particularly appreciated his bill's
emphasis on finding permanent supported housing options for homeless
veterans.
Together, the composite legislation will allow VA to consolidate and
coordinate programs for homeless veterans both within the Department,
within other federal agencies, and in the non-profit sector that
furnish services to our homeless veterans. I believe this comprehensive
homeless legislation will make a real difference in the lives of
America's homeless veterans.
The final bill retains the stated goal of H.R. 936: to end chronic
homelessness among veterans within a decade. I believe the
comprehensive bill before us puts the Department of Veterans Affairs on
the right path for making this happen. I urge my colleagues to support
this measure.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of H.R. 2716. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this measure and I would
like to thank all members and staff who worked to help bring this
excellent piece of legislation before the House for passage. I strongly
believe that H.R. 2716 will truly benefit our nation's homeless
veterans.
I would also like to express my regret and disappointment over some
of the partisan politics that have surrounded this legislation. For far
too long, too many of the men and women who have served in our nation's
military have been homeless. It is a sad fact that an estimated 225,000
veterans throughout the United States live on the streets. Delaying
action on this bill over partisan politics only hurt the veteran's
living on the streets.
Nevertheless, I am pleased that the bill is finally ready for passage
and I strongly support H.R. 2716, which is a critical step in
addressing the shameful situation of homeless veterans in our country.
Among several other provisions included in this bill, H.R. 2716
authorizes 2,000 additional HUD Section 8 low-income housing vouchers
over four years for homeless veterans, establishes a grant program for
homeless veterans with special needs, and establishes a limited dental
provision for veterans using VA homeless programs.
In addition, H.R. 2716 establishes evaluation centers for programs
that serve homeless populations and requires annual program assessments
to be submitted to Congress.
These are just a few of the many critical provisions in H.R. 2716
that will help eliminate the problem of chronic homelessness among
veterans. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this important
legislation for the men and women who have sacrificed so much in
defense of liberty and democracy.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 2716.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was
concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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