[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2775-H2777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOMELESS VETERANS CREDIT REPAIR, ENHANCEMENT, AND DEBT IMPROVEMENT FOR
TOMORROW ACT
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1257) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct
a study on the effect of financial and credit counseling for homeless
veterans and veterans experiencing housing instability, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1257
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans Credit
Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow Act''
or the ``Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act''.
SEC. 2. STUDY ON FINANCIAL AND CREDIT COUNSELING.
(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall conduct a comprehensive study on--
(1) the use of and variation of financial and credit
counseling services available for homeless veterans and
veterans experiencing housing instability;
(2) barriers to accessing financial and credit counseling
for such veterans; and
(3) the ability to evaluate and assess the potential
effects of financial and credit counseling for such veterans
with respect to housing, employment, income, and other
outcomes the Secretary determines appropriate.
(b) Methodology.--In conducting the study under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall--
(1) survey--
(A) homeless veterans and veterans experiencing housing
instability who are enrolled in the Supportive Services for
Veterans Families program;
(B) such veterans who do not seek or receive the care or
services under such program or a similar program;
(C) grantees of the Supportive Services for Veterans
Families program;
(D) financial and credit counselors; and
(E) persons who are subject matter experts regarding the
use of financial and credit counseling services that the
Secretary determines appropriate; and
(2) administer the survey to a representative sample of
homeless veterans and veterans experiencing housing
instability in areas with high veteran homelessness.
(c) Use and Variation of Services.--In conducting the study
under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall--
(1) use data from the Supportive Services for Veterans
Families program and other data collected by the Department
of Veterans Affairs, data collected by other departments or
agencies of the Federal Government, and data collected by
nongovernmental entities to compare the use of and variation
of financial and credit counseling services available for
homeless veterans and veterans experiencing housing
instability and such use and variation for other individuals;
and
(2) assess such services made available through the
Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, including
with respect to the types, modes of delivery, duration,
consistency, and quality, of such services.
(d) Barriers to Counseling.--In conducting the study under
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall conduct research on
the effects of the following perceived barriers to financial
and credit counseling for homeless veterans and veterans
experiencing housing instability surveyed in the study:
(1) The cost of financial and credit counseling services.
(2) The perceived stigma associated with seeking financial
and credit counseling assistance.
(3) The effect of driving distance or availability of other
forms of transportation to the nearest facility that received
a grant under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families
program.
(4) The availability of child care.
(5) The comprehension of eligibility requirements for, and
the scope of services available under, the Supportive
Services for Veterans Families program.
(6) The effectiveness of outreach for the services
available to such veterans under the Supportive Services for
Veterans Families program.
(7) The location and operating hours of facilities that
provide services to such veterans under the Supportive
Services for Veterans Families program.
(8) The COVID-19 pandemic and other health related issues.
(9) Such other significant barriers as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(e) Evaluation and Assessment of Effects of Counseling.--
(1) Effects.--In conducting the study under subsection
(a)(3), the Secretary shall conduct research on the ability
to evaluate and assess the potential effects of financial and
credit counseling services on homeless veterans and veterans
experiencing housing instability with respect to the
following:
(A) The effects of such services on employment by comparing
the veterans who received such services and the veterans who
did not receive such services.
(B) The effects of such services on housing status by
comparing the veterans who received such services and the
veterans who did not receive such services.
(C) The effects of such services on income by comparing the
veterans who received such services and the veterans who did
not receive such services.
(D) The effects of such services on credit score by
comparing the veterans who received such services and the
veterans who did not receive such services.
(E) The effects of such services on other outcomes the
Secretary determines appropriate.
(2) Data and recommendations.--In carrying out paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall--
(A) determine the relevant data that is available to the
Secretary and determine the confidence of the Secretary with
respect to accessing any additional data the Secretary may
require; and
(B) provide recommendations regarding the optimal research
or evaluation design that would generate the greatest
insights and value.
[[Page H2776]]
(f) Discharge by Contract.--The Secretary may seek to enter
into a contract with a qualified independent entity or
organization to carry out the study and research required
under this section, including such an entity or organization
that is able to access credit scores, data maintained by the
Internal Revenue Service, and other date beneficial to
studying income.
(g) Mandatory Review of Data by Certain Elements of
Department.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the head
of each element of the Department of Veterans Affairs
specified in paragraph (2) reviews the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a). The head of each such element
shall submit to the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Operations and Management the findings of the head with
respect to the study, including recommendations regarding
what data the Secretary should collect from grantees under
the Supportive Services for Veterans Families program.
(2) Specified elements.--The elements of the Department of
Veterans Affairs specified in this paragraph are the
following:
(A) The Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans established
under section 2066 of title 38, United States Code.
(B) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established
under section 542 of title 38, United States Code.
(C) The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans established
under section 544 of title 38, United States Code.
(D) The Homeless Programs Office of the Veterans Health
Administration.
(E) The Office of Tribal Government Relations of the
Department.
(h) Reports.--
(1) Interim report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress an interim report on the study under subsection (a).
(2) Final report.--Not later than 30 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the study under subsection (a). The
report shall include--
(A) the findings of the head of each element of the
Department specified under subsection (g)(2); and
(B) recommendations for such administrative and legislative
action as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(i) Definition.--In this section:
(1) The term ``homeless veterans and veterans experiencing
housing instability'' means veterans who are homeless (as
that term is defined in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103
of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11302)).
(2) The term ``Supportive Services for Veterans Families
program'' means the program established pursuant to section
2044 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Title 38, United States Code.--Title 38, United States
Code, is amended as follows:
(1) In section 1786(d), as added by section 3006 of the
Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care
and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), by
striking paragraph (3).
(2) In section 3673(f), as added by section 1023 of such
Act, by striking paragraph (3).
(b) Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health
Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.--The Johnny
Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and
Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is
amended as follows:
(1) In section 3010--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, the Secretary''; and
(B) by striking subsection (h).
(2) In section 4201(a), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(3) Use of authority.--The Secretary shall ensure that
paragraph (1) is carried out in accordance with established
procedures for reprogrammings or transfers, including with
respect to presenting a request for a reprogramming of
funds.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 1257, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, credit and financial counseling services remain a top
10 unmet need for veterans experiencing or who are at risk of
homelessness.
This bill directs the VA to study the efficacy and barriers to credit
and financial counseling for homeless and unstably housed veterans, and
to provide recommendations for improvements to these services.
Under the Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act, the Secretary will work with
outside organizations to review these barriers, and submit to Congress
concrete steps we can take to expand credit access to veterans in need.
H.R. 1257, as amended, has the support of VA and key veteran service
organizations, like the VFW, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the
IAVA.
Also included in this legislation are various oversight improvements
to existing law that our committee has worked on with the House
Appropriations Committee, and I thank my colleagues on the
Appropriations Committee for their hard work. I therefore, ask my
colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1257, as amended.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1257, as amended, the
Homeless Veterans Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for
Tomorrow--or CREDIT--Act.
This bill would direct the VA to study the effects of financial and
credit counseling for homeless veterans.
COVID-19 has impacted our economy and our lives in many ways.
The most recent Department of Housing and Urban Development Point-in-
Time--or the PIT--count found that, on a single night in January of
2020, an estimated 37,252 veterans were homeless.
We must do everything we can to help eliminate veteran homelessness
and prevent those who have worn the uniform of our country from having
to worry about where they will lay their head at night.
This bill, which I am proud to support, would direct the VA to
conduct a comprehensive study on the financial and credit counseling
services for homeless veterans.
This study would use data from the Supportive Services for Veterans
Families--or the SSVF--program to look at barriers that homeless
veterans are facing in relation to financial counseling services.
I thank Congressman Pallone for his hard work on crafting this bill
and for his continued support of our Nation's veterans.
This bill, as amended, also includes some technical changes to the
omnibus bill that was signed into law earlier this year that were
requested by the Committee on Appropriations.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), my good friend, the author of this critical
piece of legislation, and also the chairman of the Energy and Commerce
Committee.
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Veterans'
Affairs Committee, my friend from California, for moving this bill
through the committee as quickly as he did.
I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 1257, the Homeless Veterans
Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow Act.
We know that veterans' homelessness continues to be a blight on our
Nation. Congress and advocates from across the country have worked hard
to nearly halve the homeless veteran population in the past decade.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic jeopardized this progress by
negatively impacting the credit and financial stability of our Nation's
veterans.
{time} 1430
Now is the time to redouble our efforts and do everything we can to
ensure stable housing for veterans. We must start by examining the
underlying causes of veteran homelessness in our Nation.
The VA has declared credit and financial counseling services a top 10
unmet need for our homeless veterans. My bill directs the Secretary of
the VA to conduct a study of the credit and financial counseling
services available to homeless veterans and veterans facing housing
instability. The study will assess current services available to
veterans and the barriers they face in utilizing them, including the
COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges.
During a time of such economic uncertainty, we must look out for our
[[Page H2777]]
most vulnerable communities, including homeless veterans and veterans
experiencing housing instability. We have a responsibility to help
those who served in uniform and stood ready to make the ultimate
sacrifice for our country.
The CREDIT Act will identify the credit and financial counseling
services needed to help our veterans avoid financial pitfalls and make
informed decisions about their future.
Madam Speaker, again, I thank Chairman Takano for his partnership on
this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense,
bipartisan legislation. Together, we can improve veterans' financial
literacy to build a better life for themselves after they complete
their service to our country.
Madam Speaker, I also thank my staff member, Jake Freed, who
basically came up with this idea, after talking to various veterans
groups, and put this together.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close.
Madam Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, we know that preventing homelessness is
especially critical as we try to emerge out of this pandemic.
Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support Chairman Pallone's
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
1257, the Homeless Veterans Credit Act, and would like my good friend
Chairman Pallone for his work to bring this bill to the floor.
The freedom and luxuries that we are afforded on a daily basis are
made possible by the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. It is
unthinkable that, after returning home from serving our country,
veterans are often faced with several challenges including a lack of
accessibility to quality and affordable housing. The state of Texas is
home to the second largest population of veterans in the United States,
and veterans homelessness is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue
in our communities.
That is why I am proud to support the Homeless Veterans Credit Act.
This bill will direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a
study on the effectiveness of financial and credit counseling services
currently available to homeless veterans and how those services can be
improved so these veterans can move a step closer to securing stable
housing, employment and income. Such studies are critical for us as
legislators to determine the efficiency of the institutions, programs,
and funding levels in place to assist veterans.
As Chair of the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, I remain committed
to advocating on behalf of veterans experiencing homelessness and
housing insecurity. This pandemic has brought to light the stark
inequities in access to housing for veterans, but I am confident that
this bill will set the stage for transformative efforts to reform care
for those in need.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to voting in favor of this bipartisan,
commonsense legislation and would urge my colleagues to do the same.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1257, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to direct
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the effect of
financial and credit counseling for homeless veterans and veterans
experiencing housing instability, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________