Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) cosponsored the bipartisan Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (HUDVA) -- first introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) -- to ensure that veterans can fairly access affordable housing options.
In a statement, Sen. Ossoff clarified that this is an issue of our nation’s honor and our responsibility to those who have sacrificed so much.
“Our national honor requires that we lift up and support all who have sacrificed in America’s defense,” Sen. Ossoff stated. “That’s why I am working to end veteran homelessness in Georgia and nationwide.”
The Bill
Historically, disability benefits have been considered part of one’s annual income when determining housing assistance eligibility, which unfairly disadvantages Georgia veterans with a service-connected disability.
This bipartisan bill would instead exclude disability benefits from annual income, thereby expanding eligibility for several Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance programs, including the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
Also known as Senate Bill (S) 1415, the bill specifically mandates that disability benefits received under Chapters 11 or 15 of Title 38 be excluded when determining eligibility for housing assistance.
This exclusion also applies when determining whether a household receiving supported housing assistance is eligible for other types of housing programs.
For residential units constructed on Department property after the bill’s enactment, the HUD Secretary must exclude these same disability benefits when determining a veteran’s eligibility to rent.
However, S 1415 specifies that while these benefits are excluded for initial eligibility purposes, the exclusion does not apply to the definition of an ‘adjusted income.’
The bill was originally introduced to the Senate on April 10, 2025, and then referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. It has made very little progress since its introduction, but this new sponsorship from Sen. Ossoff may give it the necessary attention.
I've said it before: Veterans who have given so much for our country deserve the basic right to a roof over their heads.
I'm fighting to make that happen. https://t.co/3sQNEARcnw
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) April 16, 2025
