Bill to Address Housing for Homeless Veterans Introduced

Representative David McKinley (R-WV) introduced H.R. 2605, the Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act, on May 21. Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) has co-sponsored the measure, which has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. The measure was introduced in the 112th Congress, but was not enacted before the end of the Congress.The measure would require that organizations that receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding to provide housing and/or services to veterans experiencing homelessness meet all relevant code standards, including the “most current Life Safety Code and all applicable State and local housing codes, licensing requirements, fire and safety requirements, and any other requirements in the jurisdiction in which the project is located regarding the condition of the structure and the operation of the supportive housing or service center.” If fund recipients do not meet these standards the bill would allow for the suspension of payments from the VA until code requirements are met.