Amendments to HUD-VASH program

Section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in the first sentence— (i) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting subparagraph (B); and (ii) by striking the amounts specified in subparagraph (B) and inserting amounts; (B) by striking the second sentence and inserting In the course of administering such program—; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clauses: (i) the Secretary shall provide rental assistance on behalf of a veteran who is— (I) homeless; (II) at risk of homelessness; or (III) receiving assistance under another housing assistance program if the Secretary determines a voucher under this paragraph is a more appropriate form of assistance for such veteran; (ii) subject to subparagraph (D), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish case management to a veteran described in clause (i) whom such Secretary (acting through an appropriately licensed or otherwise qualified employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs or an entity that participates in a centralized or coordinated entry system (as defined in section 578.3 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulation) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development) determines requires case management; (iii) in the case of a veteran described in clause (ii) who refuses case management— (I) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (aa) make recurring attempts to engage and build a relationship with the veteran, in order to provide such case management to the veteran, solicit feedback from the veteran, and promote the veteran’s housing stability and opportunities to access health care and other benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (bb) provide case management to such veteran if the veteran subsequently requests case management; (II) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may not revoke such rental assistance on behalf of the veteran solely on the basis of such refusal; (III) a public housing authority may not revoke rental assistance provided by such authority on behalf of the veteran solely on the basis of such refusal; and (IV) the owner may not evict or otherwise penalize the veteran solely on the basis of such refusal; and (iv) in the case of a veteran described in clause (ii) whose case management is suspended for the health and safety of the veteran or the case manager, the owner may not evict or otherwise penalize the veteran solely on the basis of such suspension.; (2) by striking subparagraph (B); (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (B) and (E), respectively; and (4) by inserting after subparagraph (B), as redesignated the following new subparagraphs: (C) Veterans who do not require case management A voucher made available under this paragraph may be used for a homeless veteran, or a veteran at risk of homelessness, whom the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines does not require case management if such use is included in the notice of operating requirements of such program. (D) Administrative fees There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for administrative fee payments to public housing agencies for costs of administering vouchers under this paragraph and other eligible expenses, as shall be defined by notice issued by the Secretary, to facilitate the leasing of the vouchers, such as security deposit assistance and other costs related to retention and support of participating owners..