Yesterday, the House Financial Services Committee passed legislation to expand HUD-VASH eligibility, The amendment to the United States Housing Act of 1937 and Title 38 United States Code, would allow veterans with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharges to participate in the HUD-VASH program.

Currently, veterans with OTH discharges are not eligible to participate in any VA Health Care services including the HUD-VASH program and are cut off from that would help them access stable housing.

Studies show that veterans with OTH discharges are more likely to experience homelessness than other veterans. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 25% of all veterans experiencing homelessness have OTH discharges.

We believe that the HUD-VASH program has been a critical component of our nation’s response to veteran homelessness and it is vital that it is made available to more veterans. Equitable access for any veteran without a dishonorable discharge will help communities serve some of the most vulnerable unsheltered veterans

The bill was proposed by Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) and received bipartisan support. The bill passed the Committee by a unanimous vote of 54-0. We look forward to passage by the full house.