Clarification of staffing needs for case managers of the Veterans Health Administration with regards to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness

(a) In general Section 2003(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (1) before The Secretary; (2) by inserting, and who is determined to require case management, before is assigned; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) In assigning case managers and providing services under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize vulnerable homeless veterans, including veterans who are homeless and who have disabilities (including chronic mental illness, chronic substance abuse disorders, or chronic physical disabilities).. (b) Annual report The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall submit to Congress an annual report on the program under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)), as amended by section 3 of this Act and commonly known as the HUD-VASH program, which shall include, for the year covered by the report, each of the following, disaggregated by locality and by demographics (if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines it appropriate): (1) An identification of the number and demographic characteristics of veterans served by the HUD-VASH program. (2) The number, qualifications, and demographics of case managers described in section 2003(b) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a). (3) An assessment of the standard and scope of care provided by such case managers to such veterans, including factors such as— (A) staffing ratios; (B) practices used in case management; (C) frequency with which a case manager contacts a veteran; (D) whether a case manager successfully connects a veteran to a requested resource or support; and (E) professional licenses or certifications possessed by case managers. (4) An assessment of the types of services provided by such case managers to such veterans. (5) With regard to vouchers made available under the HUD-VASH program— (A) the number requested; (B) the number allocated; (C) the number used; (D) the number assigned but unused; and (E) the average time between such assignation and such use. (6) The percentage of such veterans who used such a voucher and received case management from such a case manager. (7) An identification of barriers that prevented the use of such vouchers by such veterans.