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House Panel Passes Housing Bill for Disabled Veterans
 Legislation designed to update housing support for disabled veterans, H.R. 3665, the “Veterans Housing Improvement Act of 2005,” was passed unanimously by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Oct 20.
The bill would make it possible for a disabled veteran to receive Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants to pay for modifications to a temporary residence that is owned by a family member. Currently, the grants are available only to pay for improvements to a home that is owned by a veteran.
In addition, the legislation would allow veterans to receive three loans under the program, up from one under current law, without changing the total amount of support they could receive. This is designed to provide them with greater flexibility to address their housing needs over the long term, and will be especially helpful in cases where veterans who temporarily live with relatives subsequently purchase a permanent home.
H.R. 3665 would make permanent the current VA direct loan program for Native Americans and broaden the program’s eligibility criteria.
Prior to the vote, in a letter to the full Veterans’ Affairs Committee and its chairman, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), Joseph Stanton, NAHB’s chief lobbyist, conveyed the association’s support for the measure and said that the changes it would make to current law would ensure that “those who have served our country have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.”
For more information, e-mail Bill Renner at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8597.
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