,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #beb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #d1 #bjag,mr4 ,al ,green of ,texas introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,financial ,services1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,comprehensive ,homes for ,heroes ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,supportive housing for very low-income veteran families 7a7 ,purpose ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to expand the supply of permanent housing for very low-income veteran families2 and 7#b7 to provide supportive services through such housing to support the needs of such veteran families4 7b7 ,authority 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall1 to the extent amounts are made available for assistance under this section and the ,secretary receives approvable applications for such assistance1 provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families4 7#b7 ,nature of assistance ,the assistance provided under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall be available for use to plan for and finance the acquisition1 construction1 reconstruction1 or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of a structure or a portion of a structure to be used as supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in accordance with this section2 and 7,b7 may also cover the cost of real property acquisition1 site improvement1 conversion1 demolition1 relocation1 and other expenses that the ,secretary determines are necessary to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families4 7#c7 ,consultation ,in meeting the requirement of paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall consult with-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs2 and 7,b7 the ,special ,assistant for ,veterans ,affairs1 as such ,special ,assistant was established under section #d7;h7 of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development ,act4 7c7 ,forms of assistance ,assistance under this section shall be made available in the following forms3 7#a7 ,planning grants ,assistance may be provided as a grant for costs of planning a project to be used as supportive housing for very low-income veteran families4 7#b7 ,capital advances ,assistance may be provided as a capital advance under this paragraph for a project1 such advance shall-- 7,a7 bear no interest2 7,b7 not be required to be repaid so long as the housing remains available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families in accordance with this section2 and 7,c7 be in an amount calculated in accordance with the development cost limitation established pursuant to subsection 7i74 7#c7 ,project rental assistance ,assistance may be provided as project rental assistance1 under an annual contract that-- 7,a7 obligates the ,secretary to make monthly payments to cover any part of the costs attributed to units occupied 7or1 as approved by the ,secretary1 held for occupancy7 by very low-income veteran families that is not met from project income2 7,b7 provides for the project not more than the sum of the initial annual project rentals for all units so occupied and any initial utility allowances for such units1 as approved by the ,secretary2 7,c7 provides that any contract amounts not used by a project in any year shall remain available to the project until the expiration of the contract2 7,d7 provides that upon the expiration of each contract term1 the ,secretary shall adjust the annual contract amount to provide for reasonable project costs1 and any increases1 including adequate reserves1 supportive services1 and service coordinators1 except that any contract amounts not used by a project during a contract term shall not be available for such adjustments upon renewal2 and 7,e7 provides that in the event of emergency situations that are outside the control of the owner1 the ,secretary shall increase the annual contract amount1 subject to reasonable review and limitations as the ,secretary shall provide4 7d7 ,tenant rent contribution ,a very low-income veteran family shall pay as rent for a dwelling unit assisted under this section the highest of the following amounts1 rounded to the nearest dollar3 7#a7 ,thirty percent of the veteran family's adjusted monthly income4 7#b7 ,ten percent of the veteran family's monthly income4 7#c7 ,if the veteran family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency and a part of such payments1 adjusted in accordance with the veteran family's actual housing costs1 is specifically designated by such agency to meet the veteran family's housing costs1 the portion of such payments which is so designated4 7e7 ,term of commitment 7#a7 ,use limitations ,all units in housing assisted under this section shall be made available for occupancy by very low-income veteran families for not less than #ae years4 7#b7 ,contract terms for project rental assistance 7,a7 ,initial term ,the initial term of a contract entered into under subsection 7c77#c7 shall be #fj months4 7,b7 ,extension ,the ,secretary shall1 subject only to the availability of amounts provided in appropriation ,acts1 renew the contract entered into under subsection 7c77#c7 for #aj consecutive #a-year terms1 the first such term beginning upon the expiration of such #fj-month period4 7,c7 ,authority of ,secretary to make early commitments ,in order to facilitate the orderly extension of expiring contracts1 the ,secretary may make commitments to extend expiring contracts during the year prior to the date of expiration4 7f7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,amounts made available under this section shall be allocated by the ,secretary among approvable applications submitted by private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives4 7#b7 ,content of application 7,a7 ,in general ,applications for assistance under this section shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the ,secretary shall establish4 7,b7 ,required content ,applications for assistance under this section shall contain-- 7i7 a description of the proposed housing2 7ii7 a description of the assistance the applicant seeks under this section2 7iii7 a description of-- 7,i7 the supportive services to be provided to the persons occupying such housing2 7,,ii7 the manner in which such services will be provided to such persons1 including1 in the case of frail elderly persons 7as such term is defined in section #bjb of the ,housing ,act of #aiei 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agjaq771 evidence of such residential supervision as the ,secretary determines is necessary to facilitate the adequate provision of such services2 and 7,,iii7 the public or private sources of assistance that can reasonably be expected to fund or provide such services2 7iv7 a certification from the public official responsible for submitting a housing strategy for the jurisdiction to be served in accordance with section #aje of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abgje7 that the proposed project is consistent with the approved housing strategy2 and 7v7 such other information or certifications that the ,secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section4 7#c7 ,rejection ,the ,secretary shall not reject any application for assistance under this section on technical grounds without giving notice of that rejection and the basis therefore to the applicant4 7g7 ,initial selection criteria and processing 7#a7 ,selection criteria ,the ,secretary shall establish selection criteria for assistance under this section1 which shall include-- 7,a7 criteria based upon-- 7i7 the ability of the applicant to develop and operate the proposed housing2 7ii7 the need for supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in the area to be served2 7iii7 the extent to which the proposed size and unit mix of the housing will enable the applicant to manage and operate the housing efficiently and ensure that the provision of supportive services will be accomplished in an economical fashion2 7iv7 the extent to which the proposed design of the housing will meet the service-connected disability needs of very low-income veteran families2 7v7 the extent to which the applicant has demonstrated that the supportive services identified pursuant to subsection 7f77#b77;,b77iii7 will be provided on a consistent1 long-term basis2 7vi7 the extent to which the proposed design of the housing will accommodate the provision of supportive services that are expected to be needed1 either initially or over the useful life of the housing1 by the very low-income veterans the housing is intended to serve2 7vii7 the extent to which the applicant has ensured that a service coordinator will be employed or otherwise retained for the housing1 who has the managerial capacity and responsibility for carrying out the actions described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 of subsection 7h77#b77;,a72 and 7viii7 such other factors as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that funds made available under this section are used effectively2 7,b7 a preference in such selection for applications proposing housing to be reserved for occupancy by very low-income veteran families who are homeless 7as such term is defined in section #ajc of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacjb772 and 7,c7 criteria appropriate to consider the need for supportive housing for very low-income veteran families in nonmetropolitan areas and by ,indian tribes4 7#b7 ,delegated processing 7,a7 ,delegation to ,state or local housing authority ,in issuing a capital advance under this subsection for any project for which financing for the purposes described in subsection 7b77#b7 is provided by a combination of a capital advance under subsection 7c77#b7 and sources other than this section1 within #cj days of award of the capital advance1 the ,secretary shall delegate review and processing of such projects to a ,state or local housing agency that-- 7i7 is in geographic proximity to the property2 7ii7 has demonstrated experience in and capacity for underwriting multifamily housing loans that provide housing and supportive services2 7iii7 may or may not be providing low-income housing tax credits in combination with the capital advance under this section2 and 7iv7 agrees to issue a firm commitment within #ab months of delegation4 7,b7 ,processing by ,secretary ,the ,secretary shall retain the authority to process capital advances in cases in which no ,state or local housing agency has applied to provide delegated processing pursuant to this paragraph or no such agency has entered into an agreement with the ,secretary to serve as a delegated processing agency4 7,c7 ,processing fees ,an agency to which review and processing is delegated pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 may assess a reasonable fee which shall be included in the capital advance amounts and may recommend project rental assistance amounts in excess of those initially awarded by the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall develop a schedule for reasonable fees under this subparagraph to be paid to delegated processing agencies1 which shall take into consideration any other fees to be paid to the agency for other funding provided to the project by the agency1 including bonds1 tax credits1 and other gap funding4 7,d7 ,authority retained by ,secretary ,under such delegated system1 the ,secretary shall retain the authority to approve rents and development costs and to execute a capital advance within #fj days of receipt of the commitment from the ,state or local agency4 ,the ,secretary shall provide to such agency and the project sponsor1 in writing1 the reasons for any reduction in capital advance amounts or project rental assistance and such reductions shall be subject to appeal4 7h7 ,provision of supportive services to veteran families 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall coordinate with the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans or veteran families includes a range of services tailored to the needs of the very low-income veteran families occupying such housing1 which may include services for-- 7,a7 outreach2 7,b7 health 7including counseling1 mental health1 substance abuse1 post-traumatic stress disorder1 and traumatic brain injury7 diagnosis and treatment2 7,c7 habilitation and rehabilitation2 7,d7 case management2 7,e7 daily living2 7,f7 personal financial planning2 7,g7 transportation2 7,h7 vocation2 7,i7 employment and training2 7,j7 education2 7,k7 assistance in obtaining veterans benefits and public benefits2 7,l7 assistance in obtaining income support2 7,m7 assistance in obtaining health insurance2 7,n7 fiduciary and representative payee2 7,o7 legal aid2 7,p7 child care2 7,q7 housing counseling2 7,r7 service coordination2 and 7,s7 other services necessary for maintaining independent living4 7#b7 ,local coordination of services 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall coordinate with the ,secretary of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to ensure that owners of housing assisted under this section have the managerial capacity to-- 7i7 assess on an ongoing basis the service needs of residents2 7ii7 coordinate the provision of supportive services and tailor such services to the individual needs of residents2 and 7iii7 seek on a continuous basis new sources of assistance to ensure the long-term provision of supportive services4 7,b7 ,classification of costs ,any cost associated with this subsection relating to the coordination of services shall be an eligible cost under subsection 7c77#c74 7i7 ,development cost limitations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall periodically establish reasonable development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families by publishing a notice of the cost limitations in the ,federal ,register4 7#b7 ,considerations ,the cost limitations established under paragraph 7#a7 shall reflect-- 7,a7 the cost of construction1 reconstruction1 or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families that meets applicable ,state and local housing and building codes2 7,b7 the cost of movables necessary to the basic operation of the housing1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7,c7 the cost of special design features necessary to make the housing accessible to very low-income veteran families2 7,d7 the cost of community space necessary to accommodate the provision of supportive services to veteran families2 7,e7 if the housing is newly constructed1 the cost of meeting the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the ,secretary in accordance with section #aji of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abgji72 and 7,f7 the cost of land1 including necessary site improvement4 7#c7 ,use of data ,in establishing development cost limitations for a given market area under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall use data that reflect currently prevailing costs of construction1 reconstruction1 or moderate or substantial rehabilitation1 and land acquisition in the area4 7#d7 ,community space ,for purposes of paragraph 7#b71 a community space shall include space for cafeterias or dining halls1 community rooms or buildings1 workshops1 child care1 adult day health facilities or other outpatient health facilities1 or other essential service facilities4 7#e7 ,commercial facilities ,neither this section nor any other provision of law may be construed as prohibiting or preventing the location and operation1 in a project assisted under this section1 of commercial facilities for the benefit of residents of the project and the community in which the project is located1 except that assistance made available under this section may not be used to subsidize any such commercial facility4 7#f7 ,acquisition ,in the case of existing housing and related facilities to be acquired1 the cost limitations shall include-- 7,a7 the cost of acquiring such housing2 7,b7 the cost of rehabilitation1 alteration1 conversion1 or improvement1 including the moderate or substantial rehabilitation thereof2 and 7,c7 the cost of the land on which the housing and related facilities are located4 7#g7 ,annual adjustments ,the ,secretary shall adjust the cost limitation not less than annually to reflect changes in the general level of construction1 reconstruction1 and moderate and substantial rehabilitation costs4 7#h7 ,incentives for savings 7,a7 ,special housing account 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall use the development cost limitations established under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#f7 to calculate the amount of financing to be made available to individual owners4 7ii7 ,actual developmental costs less than financing ,owners which incur actual development costs that are less than the amount of financing shall be entitled to retain #ej percent of the savings in a special housing account4 7iii7 ,bonus for energy efficiency ,the percentage established under clause 7ii7 shall be increased to #ge percent for owners which add energy efficiency features which-- 7,i7 exceed the energy efficiency standards promulgated by the ,secretary in accordance with section #aji of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abgji72 7,,ii7 substantially reduce the life-cycle cost of the housing2 and 7,,iii7 reduce gross rent requirements4 7,b7 ,uses ,the special housing account established under subparagraph 7,a7 may be used-- 7i7 to provide services to residents of the housing or funds set aside for replacement reserves2 or 7ii7 for such other purposes as determined by the ,secretary4 7#i7 ,design flexibility ,the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable1 give owners the flexibility to design housing appropriate to their location and proposed resident population within broadly defined parameters4 7#aj7 ,use of funds from other sources ,an owner shall be permitted voluntarily to provide funds from sources other than this section for amenities and other features of appropriate design and construction suitable for supportive housing under this section if the cost of such amenities is-- 7,a7 not financed with the advance2 and 7,b7 is not taken into account in determining the amount of ,federal assistance or of the rent contribution of tenants4 7j7 ,tenant selection 7#a7 ,in general ,an owner shall adopt written tenant selection procedures that are-- 7,a7 satisfactory to the ,secretary and which are-- 7i7 consistent with the purpose of improving housing opportunities for very low-income veteran families2 and 7ii7 reasonably related to program eligibility and an applicant's ability to perform the obligations of the lease2 and 7,b7 compliant with subtitle ,c of title ,,vi of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aiib 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acfja et seq47 and any regulations issued under such subtitle4 7#b7 ,notification of rejection ,owners shall promptly notify in writing any rejected applicant of the grounds for any rejection4 7#c7 ,information regarding housing 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide1 to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,secretary of ,labor1 information regarding the availability of the housing assisted under this section4 7,b7 ,sharing of information with additional agencies ,within #cj days of receipt of the information1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,secretary of ,labor shall provide such information to agencies in the area of the housing that receive assistance from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and the ,department of ,labor for providing medical care1 housing1 supportive services or employment and training services to homeless veterans4 7k7 ,miscellaneous provisions 7#a7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall make available appropriate technical assistance to ensure that prospective applicants are able to participate more fully in the program carried out under this section4 7#b7 ,civil rights compliance ,each owner shall certify1 to the satisfaction of the ,secretary1 that assistance made available under this section will be conducted and administered in conformity with title ,,vi of the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;a et seq471 the ,fair ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cfja et seq471 and other ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws prohibiting discrimination and promoting equal opportunity4 7#c7 ,owner deposit 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall require an owner of housing1 assisted under this section1 to deposit an amount not to exceed #ae1jjj in a special escrow account to ensure the owner's commitment to the housing4 ,such amount shall be used only to cover operating deficits during the first three years of operations and shall not be used to cover construction shortfalls or inadequate initial project rental assistance amounts4 7,b7 ,reduction of requirement 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may reduce or waive the owner deposit specified under subparagraph 7,a7 for individual applicants if the ,secretary finds that such waiver or reduction is necessary to achieve the purposes of this section and the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the ,secretary that it has the capacity to manage and maintain the housing in accordance with this section4 7ii7 ,nonprofits ,the ,secretary may reduce or waive the requirement of the owner deposit under subparagraph 7,a7 in the case of a nonprofit applicant that is not affiliated with a national sponsor1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,notice of appeal 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall notify an owner not less than #cj days prior to canceling any reservation of assistance provided under this section4 7,b7 ,appeal 7i7 filing deadline ,during the #cj-;day period following the receipt of any notice required under subparagraph 7,a71 an owner may appeal the proposed cancellation4 7ii7 timing of decision ,any appeal undertaken under clause 7i71 including review by the ,secretary1 shall be completed not later than #de days after the appeal is filed4 7#e7 ,labor 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the construction of housing with #ab or more units assisted under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than the rates prevailing in the locality involved for the corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on construction of a similar character1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,labor in accordance with subchapter ,,iv of chapter #ca of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,exemption ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not apply to any individual who-- 7i7 performs services for which the individual volunteered2 7ii7 does not receive compensation for such services or is paid expenses1 reasonable benefits1 or a nominal fee for such services2 and 7iii7 is not otherwise employed at any time in the construction work4 7#f7 ,access to residual receipts 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall authorize the owner of a housing project assisted under this section to use any residual receipts held for the project in excess of #ejj per unit 7or in excess of such other amount prescribed by the ,secretary based on the needs of the project7 for activities to retrofit and renovate the project as described under section #hjb7;d77#c7 of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hjaa7;d77#c77 or to provide supportive services to residents of the project4 7,b7 ,report ,any owner that uses residual receipts under this paragraph shall submit to the ,secretary a report1 not less than annually1 describing the uses of the residual receipts4 7,c7 ,determination of amount ,in determining the amount of project rental assistance to be provided to a project under subsection 7c77#c7 of this section1 the ,secretary may take into consideration the residual receipts held for the project only if1 and to the extent that1 excess residual receipts are not used under this paragraph4 7#g7 ,occupancy standards and obligations ,each owner shall operate housing assisted under this section in compliance with subtitle ,c of title ,,vi of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aiib 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acfja et seq47 and any regulations issued under such subtitle4 7#h7 ,use of project reserves 7,a7 ,in general ,amounts for project reserves for a project assisted under this section may be used for costs1 subject to reasonable limitations as the ,secretary determines appropriate1 for reducing the number of dwelling units in the project4 7,b7 ,approval of ,secretary required ,any use described in subparagraph 7,a7 of amounts for project reserves for a project assisted under this section shall be subject to the approval of the ,secretary to ensure that such use is designed to retrofit units that are currently obsolete or unmarketable4 7#i7 ,repayment of assistance and prevention of undue benefits 7,a7 ,repayment ,if a recipient1 or a project sponsor receiving funds from the recipient1 receives assistance under subsection 7b7 for use pursuant to paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection for the construction1 acquisition1 or rehabilitation of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families and the project ceases to provide permanent housing1 the ,secretary shall require the recipient1 or such project sponsor1 to repay the following percentage of such assistance3 7i7 ,in the case of a project that ceases to be used for such supportive housing before the expiration of the #aj-year period beginning upon commencement of the operation of the project1 #ajj percent4 7ii7 ,in the case of a project that ceases to be used for such supportive housing on or after the expiration of the #aj-year period beginning upon commencement of the operation of the project1 but before the expiration of the #ae-year period beginning upon such commencement1 #bj percent of the assistance for each of the years during such #ae-year period for which the project fails to provide permanent housing4 7,b7 ,prevention of undue benefits ,except as provided in paragraph 7,c71 if any property is used for a project that receives assistance under subsection 7b7 for use pursuant to paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection for the construction1 acquisition or rehabilitation of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families1 and the sale or other disposition of the property occurs before the expiration of the #ae-year period beginning upon commencement of the operation of the project1 the recipient 7or the project sponsor receiving funds from the recipient7 shall comply with such terms and conditions as the ,secretary may prescribe to prevent the recipient 7or such project sponsor7 from unduly benefitting from such sale or disposition4 7,c7 ,exception ,a recipient1 or a project sponsor receiving funds from the recipient1 shall not be required to make repayments1 and comply with the terms and conditions1 required under subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 if-- 7i7 the sale or disposition of the property used for the project results in the use of the property for the direct benefit of very-low income persons2 7ii7 all of the proceeds of the sale or disposition are used to provide permanent housing for very-low income veteran families meeting the requirements of this section2 7iii7 project-based rental assistance or operating cost assistance from any ,federal program or an equivalent ,state or local program is no longer made available and the project is meeting applicable performance standards1 provided that the portion of the project that had benefitted from such assistance continues to meet the tenant income and rent restrictions for low-income units under section #db7;g7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 or 7iv7 there are no low-income veteran families in the geographic area of the property who meet the program criteria1 in which case the project may serve non-veteran individuals and families having incomes described in subsection 7l77#b7 of this section4 7#aj7 ,continued eligibility of very low-income veteran families ,a veteran family residing in supportive housing assisted under this section may not be considered to lose its status as such a family for purposes of eligibility for continued occupancy in such housing due to the death of any veteran member of the family1 including the sole veteran member of the family4 7l7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the following definitions shall apply3 7#a7 ,consumer cooperative ,the term consumer cooperative has the same meaning given such term for purposes of the supportive housing for the elderly program under section #bjb of the ,housing ,act of #aiei 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agjaq74 7#b7 ,very low-income veteran family ,the term very low-income veteran family means a veteran family whose income does not exceed #ej percent of the median income for the area1 as determined by the ,secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families1 except that the ,secretary may establish an income ceiling higher or lower than #ej percent of the median for the area on the basis of the ,secretary's findings that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market rents 7as determined under section #h of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f771 or unusually high or low family incomes4 7#c7 ,owner ,the term owner means a private nonprofit organization or consumer cooperative that receives assistance under this section to develop and operate supportive housing for very low-income veteran families4 7#d7 ,private nonprofit organization ,the term private nonprofit organization means-- 7,a7 any incorporated private institution or foundation-- 7i7 no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member1 founder1 contributor1 or individual2 7ii7 which has a governing board that is responsible for the operation of the housing assisted under this section2 and 7iii7 which is approved by the ,secretary as to financial responsibility2 7,b7 a for-profit limited partnership the sole or managing general partner of which is an organization meeting the requirements under clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a7 or a corporation meeting the requirements of subparagraph 7,c72 7,c7 a corporation wholly owned and controlled by an organization meeting the requirements under clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,d7 a tribally designated housing entity1 as such term is defined in section #d of the ,native ,american ,housing ,assistance and ,self-,determination ,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dajc74 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 except where specifically provided otherwise4 7#f7 ,state ,the term ,state includes the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 and the possessions of the ,united ,states4 7#g7 ,supportive housing for very low-income veteran families ,the term supportive housing for very low-income veteran families means housing that is designed to accommodate the provision of supportive services that are expected to be needed1 either initially or over the useful life of the housing1 by the veteran families that the housing is intended to serve4 7#h7 ,veteran ,the term veteran has the meaning given the term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#i7 ,veteran family ,the term veteran family includes a veteran who is a single person1 a family 7including families with children7 whose head of household 7or whose spouse7 is a veteran1 and one or more veterans living together with one or more persons4 7m7 ,allocation of funds ,of any amounts made available for assistance under this section3 7#a7 ,planning grants ,not more than #b4e percent shall be available for planning grants in accordance with subsection 7c77#a74 7#b7 ,capital advances ,such sums as may be necessary shall be available for capital advances in accordance with subsection 7c77#b74 7#c7 ,project rental assistance ,such sums as may be necessary shall be available for project rental assistance in accordance with subsection 7c77#c74 7#d7 ,technical assistance ,not more than #a percent shall be available for technical assistance in accordance with subsection 7k77#a74 7n7 ,authorization of appropriations for housing assistance ,there is authorized to be appropriated for assistance under this section #bjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter4 #c4 ,housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans ,section #h7o77#ai7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77#ai77 is amended to read as follows3 7#ai7 ,rental vouchers for homeless veterans 7,a7 ,additional vouchers ,in addition to any amount made available for rental assistance under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall make available the amount specified in subparagraph 7,b71 for use only for providing rental assistance for homeless veterans in conjunction with the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7,b7 ,amount ,the amount specified in this subparagraph is1 for each fiscal year1 the amount necessary to provide not fewer than #bj1jjj vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection4 7,c7 ,continued eligibility of homeless veteran families ,if any veteran member of a household for which rental assistance is being provided under this paragraph1 including the sole veteran member of the household1 dies1 such household may not be considered1 due to such death1 to lose its status as the household of a homeless veteran for purposes of-- 7i7 eligibility for continued assistance under this paragraph2 or 7ii7 continued occupancy in the dwelling unit in which such family is residing using such assistance at the time of such death4 7,d7 ,funding ,the budget authority made available under any other provisions of law for rental assistance under this subsection for fiscal year #bjag and each fiscal year thereafter is authorized to be increased in each such fiscal year by such sums as may be necessary to provide the number of vouchers specified in subparagraph 7,b7 for such fiscal year4 4 #d4 ,inclusion of veterans in housing planning 7a7 ,public housing agency plans ,section #e;,a7d77#a7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;c-#a7;d77#a77 is amended by striking and disabled families and inserting 1 disabled families1 and veterans 7as such term is defined in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code74 7b7 ,comprehensive housing affordability strategies 7#a7 ,in general ,section #aje of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abgje7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b77#a71 by inserting veterans 7as such term is defined in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code71 after acquired immunodeficiency syndrome12 7,b7 in subsection 7b77#bj71 by striking and service and inserting veterans service1 and other service2 and 7,c7 in subsection 7e77#a71 by inserting veterans 7as such term is defined in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code71 after homeless persons14 7#b7 ,consolidated plans ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall revise the regulations relating to submission of consolidated plans 7part #ia of title #bd1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations7 in accordance with the amendments made by paragraph 7#a7 of this subsection to require inclusion of appropriate information relating to veterans and veterans service agencies in all such plans4 #e4 ,exclusion of veterans benefits from assisted housing rent considerations 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 for purposes of determining the amount of rent paid by a family for occupancy of a dwelling unit assisted under a federally assisted housing program under subsection 7b7 or in housing assisted under any other federally assisted housing program1 the income and the adjusted income of the family shall not be considered to include any amounts received by any member of the family from the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs as-- 7#a7 compensation1 as such term is defined in section #aja7ac7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7#b7 dependency and indemnity compensation1 as such term is defined in section #aja7ad7 of such title4 7b7 ,federally assisted housing program ,the federally assisted housing programs under this subsection are-- 7#a7 the public housing program under the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg et seq472 7#b7 the tenant-based rental assistance program under section #h of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f71 including the program under subsection 7o77#ai7 of such section for housing rental vouchers for low-income veteran families2 7#c7 the project-based rental assistance program under section #h of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f72 7#d7 the program for housing opportunities for persons with ,,aids under subtitle ,d of title ,,viii of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abija et seq472 7#e7 the supportive housing for the elderly program under section #bjb of the ,housing ,act of #aiei 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agjaq72 7#f7 the supportive housing for persons with disabilities program under section #haa of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hjac72 7#g7 the continuum of care for the homeless program under subtitle ,c of title ,,iv of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacha et seq472 7#h7 the supportive housing for very low-income veteran families program under section #b of this ,act2 7#i7 the rental assistance payments program under section #eba7;a77#b77;,a7 of the ,housing ,act of #aidi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adij;a7a77#b77;,a772 7#aj7 the rental assistance program under section #bcf of the ,national ,housing ,act 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agaez-#a72 7#aa7 the rural housing programs under sections #eae and #ech of the ,housing ,act of #aidi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adhe1 #adijp-#b72 7#ab7 the ,,home investment partnerships program under title ,,ii of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abgba et seq472 7#ac7 the block grant programs for affordable housing for ,native ,americans and ,native ,hawaiians under titles ,i through ,,iv and ,,viii of the ,native ,american ,housing ,assistance and ,self-,determination ,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #daaa et seq41 #dbba et seq472 7#ad7 any other program for housing assistance administered by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development or the ,secretary of ,agriculture under which eligibility for occupancy in the housing assisted or for housing assistance is based upon income2 7#ae7 low-income housing credits allocated pursuant to section #db of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 and 7#af7 tax-exempt bonds issued for qualified residential rental projects pursuant to section #adb7;d7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 #f4 ,technical assistance grants for housing assistance for veterans 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall1 to the extent amounts are made available in appropriation ,acts for grants under this section1 make grants to eligible entities under subsection 7b7 to provide to nonprofit organizations technical assistance appropriate to assist such organizations in-- 7#a7 sponsoring housing projects for veterans assisted under programs administered by the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 7#b7 fulfilling the planning and application processes and requirements necessary under such programs administered by the ,department2 and 7#c7 assisting veterans in obtaining housing or homeless assistance under programs administered by the ,department4 7b7 ,eligible entities ,an eligible entity under this subsection is a nonprofit entity or organization having such expertise as the ,secretary shall require in providing technical assistance to providers of services for veterans4 7c7 ,selection of grant recipients ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall establish criteria for selecting applicants for grants under this section to receive such grants and shall select applicants based upon such criteria4 7d7 ,funding ,of any amounts made available in fiscal year #bjag or any fiscal year thereafter to the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development for salaries and expenses1 #a1jjj1jjj shall be available1 and shall remain available until expended1 for grants under this section4 #g4 ,annual report on housing assistance to veterans 7a7 ,in general ,not later than ,december #ca each year1 the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall submit a report on the activities of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development relating to veterans during such year to the following3 7#a7 ,the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#c7 ,the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate4 7#d7 ,the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#e7 ,the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#f7 ,the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#g7 ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,contents ,each report required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following information with respect to the year for which the report is submitted3 7#a7 ,the number of very low-income veteran families provided assistance under the program of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families under section #b1 the socioeconomic characteristics of such families1 the types of assistance provided such families1 and the number1 types1 and locations of owners of housing assisted under such section4 7#b7 ,the number of homeless veterans provided assistance under the program of housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans under section #h7o77#ai7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77#ai77 7as amended by section #c71 the socioeconomic characteristics of such homeless veterans1 and the number1 types1 and locations of entities contracted under such section to administer the vouchers4 7#c7 ,a summary description of the special considerations made for veterans under public housing agency plans submitted pursuant to section #e;,a of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;c-#a7 and under comprehensive housing affordability strategies submitted pursuant to section #aje of the ,cranston-,gonzalez ,national ,affordable ,housing ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abgje74 7#d7 ,a description of the technical assistance provided to organizations pursuant to grants under section #f4 7#e7 ,a description of the activities of the ,special ,assistant for ,veterans ,affairs4 7#f7 ,a description of the efforts of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development to coordinate the delivery of housing and services to veterans with other ,federal departments and agencies1 including the ,department of ,defense1 ,department of ,justice1 ,department of ,labor1 ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 ,interagency ,council on ,homelessness1 and the ,social ,security ,administration4 7#g7 ,the cost to the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development of administering the programs and activities relating to veterans4 7#h7 ,any other information that the ,secretary considers relevant in assessing the programs and activities of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development relating to veterans4 7c7 ,assessment of housing needs of very low-,income veteran families 7#a7 ,in general ,for the first report submitted pursuant to subsection 7a7 and every fifth report thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall-- 7,a7 conduct an assessment of the housing needs of very low-income veteran families 7as such term is defined in section #b72 and 7,b7 shall include in each such report findings regarding such assessment4 7#b7 ,content ,each assessment under this subsection shall include-- 7,a7 conducting a survey of1 and direct interviews with1 a representative sample of very low-income veteran families 7as such term is defined in section #b7 to determine past and current-- 7i7 socioeconomic characteristics of such veteran families2 7ii7 barriers to such veteran families obtaining safe1 quality1 and affordable housing2 7iii7 levels of homelessness among such veteran families2 and 7iv7 levels and circumstances of1 and barriers to1 receipt by such veteran families of rental housing and homeownership assistance2 and 7,b7 such other information that the ,secretary determines1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and national nongovernmental organizations concerned with veterans1 homelessness1 and very low-income housing1 may be useful to the assessment4 7#c7 ,conduct ,if the ,secretary contracts with an entity other than the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development to conduct the assessment under this subsection1 such entity shall be a nongovernmental organization determined by the ,secretary to have appropriate expertise in quantitative and qualitative social science research4 7#d7 ,funding ,of any amounts made available pursuant to section #eja of the ,housing and ,urban ,development ,act of #aigj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agjaz-#a7 for programs of research1 studies1 testing1 or demonstration relating to the mission or programs of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development for any fiscal year in which an assessment under this subsection is required pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 of this subsection1 #a1jjj1jjj shall be available until expended for costs of the assessment under this subsection4