Fair Housing for Disabeled Veterans Act
Summary
The "Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act" aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It seeks to disregard veteran disability compensation or pension payments when determining income eligibility for the low-income housing tax credit and qualified residential rental project bonds. This would allow more disabled veterans to qualify for affordable housing programs.
The bill specifically targets Section 142(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, adding a clause to exclude disability compensation or pension payments under Title 38, Chapters 11 or 15 of the United States Code, from income calculations. The changes would apply to determinations made after the enactment of the Act.
Introduced in the House of Representatives, the bill reflects an effort to improve housing access for disabled veterans by adjusting income calculations for federal housing assistance programs.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to increase the number of disabled veterans eligible for low-income housing tax credits and residential rental project bonds. By excluding disability compensation and pension payments from income calculations, more veterans would meet the income requirements for these programs.
This could lead to increased occupancy rates in affordable housing units and a reduction in housing insecurity among disabled veterans. It could also incentivize the development of more affordable housing projects, knowing there is a larger pool of eligible tenants.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to affordable housing for disabled veterans.
- Potential reduction in homelessness among disabled veterans.
- Greater financial stability for disabled veterans by reducing housing costs.
- Increased occupancy rates for low-income housing units.
- Potential for increased development of affordable housing projects.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on existing affordable housing resources if demand significantly increases.
- Possible need for increased oversight to prevent fraud or abuse of the system.
- Potential for unintended consequences if the change in income calculation affects other benefit programs.
- May require additional administrative costs to implement and manage the changes.
- Could lead to longer waiting lists for affordable housing if supply doesn't meet the increased demand.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to provide housing assistance to a vulnerable population—disabled veterans. The general welfare clause, found in the Preamble, suggests the government should promote the well-being of its citizens.
Congress's power to tax and spend for the general welfare is established through Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. This bill utilizes that power to modify the Internal Revenue Code to benefit disabled veterans.
There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional amendments or limitations on federal power.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).