[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24855-24864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 24855]]

         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.
``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:

[[Page 24856]]

       ``(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 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.

[[Page 24857]]



                ``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, 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

[[Page 24858]]

     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.
       ``(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--

[[Page 24859]]

       ``(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 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.''.

[[Page 24860]]



     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.
  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

[[Page 24861]]

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. 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.
  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

[[Page 24862]]

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 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

[[Page 24863]]

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 homelessness among 
veterans and encourages all governmental and private agencies to work 
together to achieve this goal.

[[Page 24864]]

  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.

                          ____________________