WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (HUDVA), aimed at ensuring that disabled veterans experiencing homelessness are not denied housing support due to their disability compensation.

Senators Alex Padilla (D-California), Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), and Katie Britt (R-Alabama) joined Crapo in sponsoring the legislation. The bill seeks to permanently exclude Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits from being counted as income when determining eligibility for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.

The HUD-VASH program provides rental assistance and support services to veterans facing homelessness. Historically, some veterans with severe disabilities were disqualified from receiving HUD-VASH assistance because their disability payments pushed their income above eligibility thresholds.

“Veterans who placed their lives on the line and were disabled in active duty combat should not have to worry about whether or not they will have a home after they return from their service,” Crapo stated in the release.

While HUD updated its policy last year to exclude VA disability benefits from income calculations for HUD-VASH, the HUDVA legislation would codify this change, making it a permanent part of the program’s eligibility rules.

The bill is also supported by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Companion legislation is being introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Brad Sherman (D-California) and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas).

Senator Crapo is also a co-lead sponsor of the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to provide full VA disability and Department of Defense retirement benefits to combat-injured veteran retirees.