A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation to ensure disabled veterans experiencing homelessness retain access to critical housing support. The Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (HUDVA), brought forward by Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), seeks to solidify recent policy changes into law.
The HUDVA Act would permanently exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. This joint program offers rental assistance from HUD along with supportive services from the VA to combat veteran homelessness.
Previously, HUD counted VA disability payments as income, often disqualifying veterans with higher disability ratings from receiving assistance. This approach disproportionately affected the most disabled veterans—those who rely heavily on these benefits.
In 2023, HUD changed its policy to exempt disability benefits from income assessments, expanding access to housing aid. The HUDVA Act seeks to codify this policy shift, ensuring it cannot be undone by future administrations.
Alabama is home to around 400,000 veterans, according to the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. Nationally, veteran homelessness remains a critical issue, with lawmakers across party lines advocating for more lasting solutions.
The bill has picked up further bipartisan momentum, with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) joining as cosponsors. In the House, Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32) and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15) are leading companion legislation.
Senators behind the bill stress the importance of ensuring that veterans aren’t penalized for receiving benefits they earned through service. They believe this measure will close a gap that has long kept some of the most vulnerable veterans from obtaining housing assistance.
The HUDVA Act comes amid broader congressional efforts to improve veteran services, including the recent confirmation of Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Supporters say the legislation aligns with national goals to enhance support systems for veterans.
If enacted, the HUDVA Act would be a major step toward reducing homelessness among disabled veterans by securing long-term access to stable housing.
