WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring disabled veterans experiencing homelessness can maintain access to crucial housing support programs. The bill, titled the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (HUDVA), was introduced by Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
The HUDVA Act seeks to permanently exclude disability compensation received by veterans from income calculations used to determine eligibility for housing assistance under the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. This program combines rental assistance from HUD with supportive services from the Department of Veterans Affairs to address veteran homelessness.
Under previous HUD policy, VA disability benefits were counted as part of a veteran’s income, which could disqualify individuals from receiving assistance under HUD-VASH. This policy disproportionately impacted the most disabled veterans, whose higher disability compensation often resulted in being deemed ineligible for services aimed at those with low or no income.
In 2023, HUD revised its policy to exclude disability benefits from income calculations, allowing more disabled veterans to access housing support. The HUDVA Act aims to codify this change into law, ensuring that future administrations cannot reverse the policy.
Alabama is home to an estimated 400,000 veterans, according to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Nationwide, the number of homeless veterans has been a persistent concern, with policymakers on both sides of the aisle pushing for long-term solutions.
The proposed legislation has gained additional bipartisan support, with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) signing on as cosponsors. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is being led by Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32) and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15).
Senators sponsoring the bill emphasize that this is a practical and necessary step to ensure disabled veterans are not penalized for the very benefits they have earned through service. They argue the change will help close a gap that has prevented some of the most vulnerable veterans from receiving housing assistance.
The bill follows broader efforts in Congress to reform and strengthen services for veterans, including the recent confirmation of Doug Collins as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Supporters of the HUDVA Act say it aligns with ongoing goals to improve outcomes for veterans nationwide.
If passed, the HUDVA Act would mark a significant step toward reducing veteran homelessness by securing permanent housing access for those with disabilities.
