H.R. 965 — Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act

This section excludes from annual income, for purposes of the supported housing program under Section 8(o)(19) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (i.e., HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers for homeless veterans), disability benefits received by veterans under 38 U.S.C. chapters 11 or 15 (i.e., service-connected compensation or non-service-connected pensions); and excludes such benefits from income determinations for eligibility for other housing assistance for households receiving rental assistance under that program. (Thus, these benefits generally will not count toward rent calculations or eligibility thresholds in these contexts, except that the exclusion may not apply to the definition of adjusted income.)

This section directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, when determining a veteran's eligibility to rent a residential dwelling unit constructed on Department property (i.e., VA land and buildings under VA jurisdiction and not GSA-controlled, per 38 U.S.C. §901) on or after enactment, to exclude from income any disability benefits received by the veteran under 38 U.S.C. chapters 11 (Compensation) or 15 (Pension) if assistance is provided through a HUD-administered housing program not yet in existence as of enactment. (Thus, such benefits do not count against income limits for rental eligibility in those future programs.)