WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) have introduced the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill aimed at improving housing support for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
The proposed legislation would exclude disability compensation payments from being counted as income when veterans apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). According to the senators, the bill is intended to ensure that disability benefits do not reduce eligibility for federal housing assistance.
“Veterans disabled in combat have laid their lives on the line in defense of this nation,” said Senator Crapo. “The benefits they earned for injuries sustained fighting for liberty should not be used to deny them housing assistance they would otherwise qualify for following their service.”
Senator Reed added, “Our disabled veterans deserve a safe place to call home. This bill will help open up more affordable housing opportunities by ensuring that disabled veterans’ earned benefits do not impact their eligibility to find housing.”
In addition to the income exemption, the legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of how individuals with service-connected disabilities are treated when determining eligibility for HUD programs. The review would also include recommendations for improving services to veterans and underserved communities.
The measure follows the U.S. House of Representatives’ unanimous passage of the bill on February 10, 2025. The House version was sponsored by Representatives Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) and Brad Sherman (D-California).
HUD’s CDBG program provides funding to state and local governments to support housing and community resources for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Under current guidelines, individuals earning less than 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) and moderate-income earners at 50 to 80 percent AMI may qualify for assistance.
The full text of the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act is available on Senator Crapo’s official website.
