Department of Housing and Urban Development (Photo: F Delventhal)
On April 10, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill to prevent disabled Veterans facing homelessness from being denied housing assistance due to the disability benefits they receive. The Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, HUDVA, led by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), would permanently exclude VA disability payments from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, HUD-VASH, program.
The HUD-VASH program provides rental assistance through HUD alongside supportive services from the VA. However, until late last year, Veterans receiving higher disability compensation due to severe service-connected injuries were often considered over-income and denied housing support. In places like Los Angeles, Veterans with maximum disability payments had been deemed ineligible, leaving many without access to stable housing.
After ongoing advocacy, including efforts from Senator Padilla and other lawmakers, HUD updated its policy in 2024 to exclude VA disability benefits from income assessments under HUD-VASH. HUDVA seeks to make this change permanent.
“Outdated income definitions shouldn’t prevent our most disabled Veterans from receiving housing assistance,” Senator Padilla said. “This bill ensures they’re not penalized for the benefits they’ve earned.”
Senator McCormick, an Army Veteran, emphasized the legislation’s role in easing the transition back to civilian life: “This small correction could make a major difference for our nation’s heroes.”
Arizona Senator Gallego pointed to the growing housing crisis in his state, saying, “Disabled Veterans are among the most vulnerable, and this bill helps get them into safe, affordable housing.”
Senator Britt added, “Our Veterans deserve more than gratitude—they deserve support. This bill ensures they aren’t unfairly excluded from essential services.”
Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are serving as cosponsors of the bill. In the House, Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32) and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15) are leading companion legislation. The House version of HUDVA, H.R. 965, passed in February and is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
California, home to 28 percent of the nation’s homeless Veteran population, stands to benefit significantly from the legislation. Senator Padilla has remained active on this issue, recently working to expand HUD-VASH access through the FY24 appropriations package and urging federal support for Veterans displaced by wildfires.
If passed, HUDVA would resolve a long-standing inconsistency in federal policy, where VA disability benefits are excluded from income for tax purposes but counted against Veterans seeking housing assistance. Lawmakers backing the bill stress that no Veteran should be homeless simply because they receive the benefits they rightfully earned.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.