releases: https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=235041b4-c983-42cb-97c9-76b1e54f89e4
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=235041b4-c983-42cb-97c9-76b1e54f89e4 | Heller, Heitkamp Introduce Bill to Help Vulnerable Veterans Secure Housing | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | NV | Dean Heller | H001041 | www.heller.senate.gov | legacy | (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013. This bipartisan legislation would exempt a financial benefit for disabled veterans from being considered as income when applying for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing assistance. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides the aid and attendance benefit to veterans with little or no income. “Our nation’s disabled veterans have sacrificed their own well-being on our behalf. The benefits they receive for putting themselves in harm’s way shouldn’t make it more difficult for these men and women to find housing, which is why the aid and attendance benefit should not be counted as income,” said Senator Dean Heller. “I applaud my fellow Nevadan Congressman Heck for his work on this bill in the House of Representatives, and look forward to working with Senator Heitkamp to push this legislation through the Senate.” “Across North Dakota, there is a significant housing shortage, which is making it even more difficult for our disabled vets to find a place to call home,” said Senator Heidi Heitkamp. “Disabled veterans bravely and selflessly served our country, and we should be able to guarantee that they will have a place to live when they return home. This legislation is necessary for us to live up to the commitments we made to support veterans after they dedicated their lives to fight for our country. I look forward to working with Senator Heller and my colleagues to give disabled veterans the benefits they deserve.” Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) distributes the aid and attendance benefit as part of an enhanced pension program. The benefit is specifically designed for wartime veterans who are severely disabled and have little or no income. A number of these veterans also rely on housing assistance through HUD. Under current law, the aid and attendance benefit is counted as income when determining eligibility for housing assistance through HUD, which ultimately reduces the availability of housing assistance for low-income, severely disabled vets. Heller and Heitkamp are seeking to exempt from consideration of income by HUD any expenses related to a veteran’s aid and attendance benefit. Similar legislation introduced by Representative Joe Heck (R-NV-3) passed the House of Representatives in October. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) have endorsed Heller and Heitkamp’s Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |