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HR645FEDERALin_committee

Healthy Foundations for Homeless Veterans Act

January 23, 2025

veteranshomelessnesshousingveterans affairssocial services

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.Apr 18, 2023

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

The bill grants the VA permanent authority to spend existing funds on direct survival needs and land-use partnerships for homeless veterans, which currently operate under temporary or limited authorizations.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Homeless veterans

They are the recipients of the expanded flexible assistance and potential housing arrangements on VA land.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The agency is granted permanent authority to manage funds and land-use partnerships for homeless veteran services.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill proposes to permanently allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use existing funds to provide essential items like food, transportation, and communication tools to homeless veterans. It also authorizes the VA to collaborate with outside organizations to manage the use of VA-owned land for housing homeless veterans.

Key Facts

  • The bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to permanently authorize the VA to use existing funds for flexible assistance to homeless veterans.
  • The VA is authorized to provide survival items including food, shelter, clothing, blankets, and hygiene products.
  • The VA is authorized to provide transportation for appointments, housing searches, and obtaining supplies.
  • The VA is authorized to provide communication equipment and services, such as smartphones and data plans, to help veterans maintain contact with service providers and family.
  • The VA is granted authority to provide 'other assistance' as the Secretary deems necessary.
  • The VA is authorized to collaborate with outside organizations to manage the use of VA-owned land for homeless veterans to live and sleep.
  • Collaborations on VA land may include the provision of food services and security for facilities by the VA or the partner organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill create new taxes to fund these services?
No, the bill authorizes the VA to use funds that are already appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department.
What kind of communication help can a veteran receive?
The bill allows for the provision of tablets, smartphones, disposable phones, and related service plans to help veterans stay in contact with landlords, family, and service providers.
Can the VA let homeless veterans sleep on VA property?
Yes, the bill authorizes the VA to collaborate with organizations to manage the use of VA land for homeless veterans to live and sleep.

Why It Matters

The bill grants the VA permanent authority to spend existing funds on direct survival needs and land-use partnerships for homeless veterans, which currently operate under temporary or limited authorizations.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Permanent Authorization

The bill shifts the VA's authority to provide flexible assistance from a potentially temporary or discretionary status to a permanent statutory authorization.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Connected Entities

otherNorth Platte Canteen“mentioned”Map →
personSheila Cherfilus-McCormick“Primary sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.”Map →
organizationDepartment of Veterans Affairs“The federal agency responsible for implementing the provisions of the bill.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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