WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to cut bureaucratic red tape and expedite the process to get more struggling veterans off the streets and into housing or other supportive services they need, Congress passed the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act (S.1714).

The bipartisan bill exempts veteran disability benefits from being included as income when determining eligibility for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing and CDBG-funded programs. It also requires the Trump Administration to examine how service-connected disability compensation is treated across all programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary and issue a report to Congress identifying any instances of inconsistency in the treatment of service-connected disability compensation and provide recommendations on how to better serve veteran populations and underserved communities within HUD programs.

Co-led by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Jack Reed (D-RI), the bipartisan bill was unanimously approved by the full U.S. Senate and previously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for signature.

“Disabled veterans should not have to worry about securing a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Crapo. “Veterans have sacrificed so much in service to our nation, and this legislation ensures they are not unfairly penalized when seeking access to affordable housing.”

“I was pleased to work with Senator Crapo to pass this bipartisan bill. We have a duty to assist struggling veterans and provide them with the benefits and support they earned. Passing this bipartisan law is a step in the right direction. It will help cut red tape to get more wounded and disabled veterans safely and stably housed. And that goes a long way to providing them with dignity and opportunity and building community. America must keep its promise to veterans and leave no one behind,” said Senator Reed, who has pressed the VA to improve access to housing programs, health care, behavioral health services, and VA benefits for all eligible veterans.

Currently, HUD’s income guidelines include disability compensation received by veterans as part of the calculation to determine eligibility for federal housing and other assistance funded through the CDBG program. This practice has disproportionately impacted those who rely on disability benefits as their primary source of income, often making it more difficult for them to access affordable housing and further contributing to veteran homelessness.

This legislation removes that barrier for CDBG-funded programs by explicitly excluding service-connected disability compensation from HUD’s income eligibility requirements for CDBG. By doing so, it will increase the ability of wounded veterans to secure housing assistance they would have otherwise not qualified for.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act on February 10, 2025. U.S. Representatives Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15) and Brad Sherman (D-CA-32) led the House version of the bill.

Veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can call 211, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838), or visit: VA.gov/homeless.