Heitkamp Introduces Bill to Help Disabled Veterans Receive Housing Assistance

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp is proposing a common-sense fix to help more severely disabled veterans access housing assistance. The Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013, which Heitkamp introduced with Republican Senator Dean Heller, would make sure certain benefits disabled veterans receive don't disqualify them for much-needed housing support.

Currently, aid provided to these veterans, including home care to help with basic daily functions, like bathing and dressing, is considered as income when they apply for housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This aid can then render them ineligible for housing help because their income is considered too high.

"Across North Dakota, there is a significant housing shortage, making it even more difficult for our disabled vets to find a place to call home," said Heitkamp. "Disabled veterans bravely and selflessly served our country, but we have heard stories and seen statistics about the terrible rise in homelessness among veterans. It's our responsibility to fight for our veterans when they return home -- and that includes making sure they have roofs over their heads. This legislation would help us to live up to the commitments we made to support veterans after they dedicated their lives to fight for our country, and give disabled veterans the benefits they deserve."

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) distributes the aid and attendance benefit as part of an enhanced pension program. The benefit is specifically designed for wartime veterans who are severely disabled and have little or no income. A number of these veterans also rely on housing assistance through HUD.

Under current law, the benefits are counted as income when determining eligibility for housing assistance through HUD, which ultimately reduces the availability of housing assistance for low-income, severely disabled veterans. Heitkamp and Heller are seeking to exempt from consideration of income by HUD any expenses related to a veteran's aid and attendance benefit.

Similar legislation passed the House of Representatives last month.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), VFW of North Dakota, North Dakota American Legion, North Dakota AmVets Post 9, North Dakota Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) have endorsed Heitkamp and Heller's and Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013.

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