Housing America's Veterans Act of 2012 Seeks to Fund Home Repair, Rehabilitation
A proposed bill, H.R. 6381, is currently being considered to enable nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and repair the homes of veterans with disabilities and low income.
The Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2012 would create a competitive grant program to allow nonprofit organizations to repair and rehabilitate single family homes of veterans who are disabled or under 80 percent of the area median income, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Gary Officer, of the nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together, pointed out that veterans returning with an amputation or traumatic brain injury might not be able to readjust and reintegrate without a wheelchair ramp or bathroom modifications.
H.R. 6381 would complement existing government programs, allowing housing nonprofit and veteran service organizations to apply for grants provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Work covered by the bill would include simple repairs such as making interior and exterior repairs; replacing leaky or damaged doors and windows; installing handrails, grab bars, toilet assist units, handicap-accessible showers, and wheelchair ramps; and widening doorways and passageways, and improving lighting.
Follow the bill here.