De La Cruz Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Disables Veterans Seeking Housing Assistance

Representative Monica De La Cruz (D-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at providing disabled veterans the tools to seek housing assistance. The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act looks to rectify the “unjust disqualifications” of veterans receiving disability income through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from certain HUD programs as discrepancies regarding income verification sources have arisen.

The bill looks to make positive advancements through changes to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by mandating the exclusion of Service-Connected Disability Compensation to ensure that veterans are not penalized while attempting to access housing support.

The legislation would also require a comprehensive report from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) concerning how “service-connected disability compensation is treated across all programs administered by the HUD Secretary.”

The problems that the bill addresses have been “brought to light” during Financial Services Committee Hearings.

The Texas congresswoman mentioned that this bill is a step toward rectifying injustice.

"Our disabled veterans have sacrificed immeasurably for our nation, and it is unconscionable that bureaucratic red tape would prevent them from accessing the housing support they need and deserve,” said Rep. De La Cruz. “The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act is a vital step towards rectifying this injustice and ensuring that our veterans are consistently treated with the dignity and respect they have earned through their service."

Furthermore, Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) – a co-sponsor of the bill – mentioned that the notion of a disabled veteran living on the streets is “shameful.”

“There is nothing more shameful than a homeless disabled veteran that lost a limb defending us, and is now on the streets. I look forward to working with Rep. De La Cruz to exclude veteran disability benefits from income calculation for both the Community Development Block Grant Program and HUD-VASH eligibility,” said Rep. Sherman.

Co-sponsors of the bill alongside Rep. De La Cruz include Representatives Michael Lawler (R-NY), Susan Wild (D-PA), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Andy Barr (R-KY), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Randy Weber (R-TX), James Del. Moylan (R-GU), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).

The bill looks to make positive advancements through changes to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by mandating the exclusion of Service-Connected Disability Compensation to ensure that veterans are not penalized while attempting to access housing support.

The legislation would also require a comprehensive report from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) concerning how “service-connected disability compensation is treated across all programs administered by the HUD Secretary.”

The problems that the bill addresses have been “brought to light” during Financial Services Committee Hearings.

The Texas congresswoman mentioned that this bill is a step toward rectifying injustice.

"Our disabled veterans have sacrificed immeasurably for our nation, and it is unconscionable that bureaucratic red tape would prevent them from accessing the housing support they need and deserve,” said Rep. De La Cruz. “The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act is a vital step towards rectifying this injustice and ensuring that our veterans are consistently treated with the dignity and respect they have earned through their service."

Furthermore, Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) – a co-sponsor of the bill – mentioned that the notion of a disabled veteran living on the streets is “shameful.”

“There is nothing more shameful than a homeless disabled veteran that lost a limb defending us, and is now on the streets. I look forward to working with Rep. De La Cruz to exclude veteran disability benefits from income calculation for both the Community Development Block Grant Program and HUD-VASH eligibility,” said Rep. Sherman.

Co-sponsors of the bill include Representatives Michael Lawler (R-NY), Susan Wild (D-PA), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Andy Barr (R-KY), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Randy Weber (R-TX), James Del. Moylan (R-GU), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).