[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14] [House] [Pages 19888-19897] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]STUART COLLICK--HEATHER FRENCH HENRY HOMELESS VETERANS ASSISTANCE ACT Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2716) to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for homeless veterans, as amended. The Clerk read as follows: H.R. 2716 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Stuart Collick--Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references to title 38, United States Code. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. National goal to end homelessness among veterans. Sec. 4. Sense of the Congress regarding the needs of homeless veterans and the responsibility of Federal agencies. Sec. 5. Consolidation and improvement of provisions of law relating to homeless veterans. Sec. 6. Evaluation of homeless programs. Sec. 7. Study of outcome effectiveness of grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. Sec. 8. Additional programmatic expansions. Sec. 9. Coordination of employment services. Sec. 10. Use of real property. Sec. 11. Meetings of Interagency Council on Homeless. Sec. 12. Rental assistance vouchers for HUD Veterans Affairs Supported Housing program. (c) References to Title 38 United States Code.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act: (1) The term ``homeless veteran'' has the meaning given such term in section 2002 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 5(a)(1). (2) The term ``grant and per diem provider'' means an entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 3. NATIONAL GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS. (a) National Goal.--Congress hereby declares it to be a national goal to end chronic homelessness among veterans within a decade of the enactment of this Act. (b) Cooperative Efforts Encouraged.--Congress hereby encourages all departments and agencies of Federal, State, and local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, private and public sector entities, including community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and individuals to work cooperatively to end chronic homelessness among veterans within a decade. SEC. 4. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES. It is the sense of the Congress that-- (1) homelessness is a significant problem in the veterans community and veterans are [[Page 19889]] disproportionately represented among homeless men; (2) While many effective programs assist homeless veterans to again become productive and self-sufficient members of society, current resources provided to such programs and other activities that assist homeless veterans are inadequate to provide all needed essential services, assistance, and support to homeless veterans; (3) the most effective programs for the assistance of homeless veterans should be identified and expanded; (4) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results; (5) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should include prevention of homelessness; and (6) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, should cooperate more fully to address the problem of homelessness among veterans. SEC. 5. CONSOLIDATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS. (a) In General.--(1) Part II is amended by inserting after chapter 19 the following new chapter: ``CHAPTER 20--BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS ``subchapter i--purpose; definitions; administrative matters ``Sec. ``2001. Purpose. ``2002. Definitions. ``2003. Staffing requirements. ``2004. Employment assistance. ``subchapter ii--comprehensive service programs ``2011. Grants. ``2012. Per diem payments. ``2013. Authorization of appropriations. ``subchapter iii--training and outreach ``2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs. ``2022. Coordination of outreach services for veterans at risk of homelessness. ``2023. Demonstration program relating to referral and counseling for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who are at risk for homelessness. ``subchapter iv--treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans ``2031. General treatment. ``2032. Therapeutic housing. ``2033. Additional services at certain locations. ``2034. Coordination with other agencies and organizations. ``subchapter v--housing assistance ``2041. Housing assistance for homeless veterans. ``2042. Supported housing for veterans participating in compensated work therapies. ``2043. Domiciliary care programs. ``subchapter vi--loan guarantee for multifamily transitional housing ``2051. General authority. ``2052. Requirements. ``2053. Default. ``2054. Audit. ``subchapter vii--other provisions ``2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. ``2062. Dental care. ``2063. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based groups. ``2064. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans. ``2065. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. ``SUBCHAPTER I--PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS; ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ``Sec. 2001. Purpose ``The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the special needs of homeless veterans. ``Sec. 2002. Definitions ``In this chapter: ``(1) The term `homeless veteran' means a veteran who-- ``(A) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; or ``(B) has a primary nighttime residence that is-- ``(i) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, grant per diem shelters and transitional housing for the mentally ill); ``(ii) an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or ``(iii) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. ``(2) The term `grant and per diem provider' means an entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of this title. ``Sec. 2003. Staffing requirements ``(a) VBA Staffing at Regional Offices.--The Secretary shall ensure that there is assigned at each Veterans Benefits Administration regional office at least one employee assigned specifically to oversee and coordinate homeless veterans programs in that region. In any such regional office with at least 140 employees, there shall be at least one full-time employee assigned to such functions. The programs covered by such oversight and coordination include the following: ``(1) The housing program for veterans supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. ``(2) Housing programs supported by the Secretary under this title or any other provision of law. ``(3) The homeless veterans reintegration program of the Department of Labor under section 2021 of this title. ``(4) The programs under section 2033 of this title. ``(5) The assessments required by section 2034 of this title. ``(6) Such other duties relating to homeless veterans as may be assigned. ``(b) VHA Case Managers.--The Secretary shall ensure that the number of case managers in the Veterans Health Administration is sufficient to assure that every veteran who is provided a housing voucher through section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is assigned to, and is able to be seen as needed by, a case manager. ``Sec. 2004. Employment assistance ``The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans receiving care through vocational rehabilitation programs to participate in the compensated work therapy program under section 1718 of this title. ``SUBCHAPTER II--COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS ``Sec. 2011. Grants ``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary shall make grants to assist eligible entities in establishing programs to furnish, and expanding or modifying existing programs for furnishing, the following to homeless veterans: ``(A) Outreach. ``(B) Rehabilitative services. ``(C) Vocational counseling and training. ``(D) Transitional housing assistance. ``(2) The authority of the Secretary to make grants under this section expires on September 30, 2005. ``(b) Criteria for Award of Grants.--The Secretary shall establish criteria and requirements for the award of a grant under this section, including criteria for entities eligible to receive such grants, and shall publish such criteria and requirements in the Federal Register. The criteria established under this section shall include the following: ``(1) Specification as to the kinds of projects for which such grant support is available, which shall include-- ``(A) expansion, remodeling, or alteration of existing buildings, or acquisition of facilities, for use as service centers, transitional housing, or other facilities to serve homeless veterans; and ``(B) procurement of vans for use in outreach to, and transportation for, homeless veterans to carry out the purposes set forth in subsection (a). ``(2) Specification as to the number of projects for which grant support is available. ``(3) Appropriate criteria for the staffing for the provision of the services for which a grant under this section is furnished. ``(4) Provisions to ensure that the award of grants under this section-- ``(A) shall not result in duplication of ongoing services; and ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, shall reflect appropriate geographic dispersion and an appropriate balance between urban and nonurban locations. ``(5) Provisions to ensure that an entity receiving a grant shall meet fire and safety requirements established by the Secretary, which shall include-- ``(A) such State and community requirements that may apply; and ``(B) the fire and safety requirements applicable under the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. ``(6) Specifications as to the means by which an entity receiving a grant may contribute in-kind services to the start-up costs of any project for which support is sought and the methodology for assigning a cost to that contribution for purposes of subsection (c). ``(c) Funding Limitations.--A grant under this section may not be used to support operational costs. The amount of a grant under this section may not exceed 65 percent of the estimated cost of the expansion, remodeling, alteration, acquisition, or procurement provided for under this section. ``(d) Eligible Entities.--The Secretary may make a grant under this section to an entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant for the grant-- ``(1) is a public or nonprofit private entity with the capacity (as determined by the Secretary) to effectively administer a grant under this section; ``(2) has demonstrated that adequate financial support will be available to carry out the project for which the grant has been sought consistent with the plans, specifications, and schedule submitted by the applicant; and ``(3) has agreed to meet the applicable criteria and requirements established under [[Page 19890]] subsections (b) and (g) (and the Secretary has determined that the applicant has demonstrated the capacity to meet those criteria and requirements). ``(e) Application Requirement.--An entity described in subsection (d) desiring to receive assistance under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application. The application shall set forth the following: ``(1) The amount of the grant requested with respect to a project. ``(2) A description of the site for such project. ``(3) Plans, specifications, and the schedule for implementation of such project in accordance with requirements prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b). ``(4) Reasonable assurance that upon completion of the work for which assistance is sought, the program will become operational and the facilities will be used principally to provide to veterans the services for which the project was designed, and that not more than 25 percent of the services provided will serve clients who are not receiving such services as veterans. ``(f) Program Requirements.--The Secretary may not make a grant to an applicant under this section unless the applicant, in the application for the grant, agrees to each of the following requirements: ``(1) To provide the services for which the grant is furnished at locations accessible to homeless veterans. ``(2) To maintain referral networks for, and aid homeless veterans in, establishing eligibility for assistance, and obtaining services, under available entitlement and assistance programs. ``(3) To ensure the confidentiality of records maintained on homeless veterans receiving services under the grant. ``(4) To establish such procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting as may be necessary to ensure proper disbursement and accounting with respect to the grant and to such payments as may be made under section 2012 of this title. ``(5) To seek to employ homeless veterans and formerly homeless veterans in positions created for purposes of the grant for which those veterans are qualified. ``(g) Service Center Requirements.--In addition to criteria established under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, in the case of an application for a grant for a service center for homeless veterans, require each of the following: ``(1) That such center provide services to homeless veterans during such hours as the Secretary may specify and be open to such veterans on an as-needed, unscheduled basis. ``(2) That space at such center will be made available, as mutually agreeable, for use by staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and other appropriate agencies and organizations in assisting homeless veterans served by such center. ``(3) That such center be equipped and staffed to provide, or to assist in providing, health care, mental health services, hygiene facilities, benefits and employment counseling, meals, transportation assistance, and such other services as the Secretary determines necessary. ``(4) That such center may be equipped and staffed to provide, or to assist in providing, job training and job placement services (including job readiness, job counseling, and literacy and skills training), as well as any outreach and case management services that may be necessary to carry out this paragraph. ``(h) Recovery of Unused Grant Funds.--(1) If a grant recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant) under this section does not establish a program in accordance with this section or ceases to furnish services under such a program for which the grant was made, the United States shall be entitled to recover from such recipient or entity the total of all unused grant amounts made under this section to such recipient or entity in connection with such program. ``(2) Any amount recovered by the United States under paragraph (1) may be obligated by the Secretary without fiscal year limitation to carry out provisions of this subchapter. ``(3) An amount may not be recovered under paragraph (1) as an unused grant amount before the end of the three-year period beginning on the date on which the grant is awarded. ``Sec. 2012. Per diem payments ``(a) Per Diem Payments for Furnishing Services to Homeless Veterans.--(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary, pursuant to such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe, shall provide to a recipient of a grant under section 2011 of this title (or an entity eligible to receive a grant under that section which after November 10, 1992, establishes a program that the Secretary determines carries out the purposes described in that section) per diem payments for services furnished to any homeless veteran-- ``(A) whom the Secretary has referred to the grant recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant); or ``(B) for whom the Secretary has authorized the provision of services. ``(2) The rate for such per diem payments shall be the rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under section 1741(a)(1)(A) of this title. ``(3) In a case in which the Secretary has authorized the provision of services, per diem payments under paragraph (1) may be paid retroactively for services provided not more than three days before the authorization was provided. ``(b) Inspections.--The Secretary may inspect any facility of an entity eligible for payments under subsection (a) at such times as the Secretary considers necessary. No per diem payment may be made to an entity under this section unless the facilities of that entity meet such standards as the Secretary shall prescribe. ``(c) Life Safety Code.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a per diem payment may not be provided under this section to a grant recipient unless the facilities of the grant recipient meet the fire and safety requirements applicable under the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. ``(2) During the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, paragraph (1) shall not apply to an entity that received a grant under section 3 of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note) before that date if the entity meets fire and safety requirements established by the Secretary. ``(3) From amounts available for purposes of this section, not less than $5,000,000 shall be used only for grants to assist entities covered by paragraph (2) in meeting the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. ``Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter amounts as follows: ``(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2002. ``(2) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2003. ``(3) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2004. ``(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2005. ``SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING AND OUTREACH ``Sec. 2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs ``(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for under subsection (d) and made available for such purpose, the Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling, and placement services to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. ``(b) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) The Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as the Secretary considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the distribution and expenditure of funds appropriated to carry out this section. The information shall include data with respect to the results or outcomes of the services provided to each homeless veteran under this section. ``(2) The information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished to the Secretary of Labor in such form as the Secretary considers appropriate. ``(c) Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry out this section through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training. ``(d) Annual Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress an annual report that evaluates services furnished to veterans under this section, and includes an analysis of the information collected under subsection (c). ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section amounts as follows: ``(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2002. ``(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003. ``(C) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004. ``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2005. ``(E) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006. ``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available until expended. Funds obligated in any fiscal year to carry out this section may be expended in that fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year. ``Sec. 2022. Coordination of outreach services for veterans at risk of homelessness ``(a) Outreach Plan.--The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Health, shall provide for appropriate officials of the Mental Health Service and the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration to initiate a coordinated plan for joint outreach to veterans at risk of homelessness, including particularly veterans who are being discharged from institutions (including discharges from inpatient psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment programs, and penal institutions). ``(b) Matters To Be Included.--The outreach plan under subsection (a) shall include the following: ``(1) Strategies to identify and collaborate with external entities used by veterans who have not traditionally used Department services to further outreach efforts. ``(2) Strategies to ensure that mentoring programs, recovery support groups, and other appropriate support networks are optimally available to veterans. [[Page 19891]] ``(3) Appropriate programs or referrals to family support programs. ``(4) Means to increase access to case management services. ``(5) Plans for making additional employment services accessible to veterans. ``(6) Appropriate referral sources for mental health and substance abuse services. ``(c) Cooperative Relationships.--The plan shall identify strategies for the Department to enter into formal cooperative relationships with entities outside the Department to facilitate making services and resources optimally available to veterans. ``(d) Review of Plan.--The Secretary shall submit the plan under subsection (a) to the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans for its review and consultation. ``(e) Outreach Program.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out an outreach program to provide information to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. The program shall include at a minimum-- ``(A) provision of information about benefits available to eligible veterans from the Department; and ``(B) contact information for local Department facilities, including medical facilities, regional offices, and veterans centers. ``(2) In developing and carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult with appropriate public and private organizations, including the Bureau of Prisons, State social service agencies, the Department of Defense, and mental health, veterans, and homeless advocates-- ``(A) for assistance in identifying and contacting veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; ``(B) to coordinate appropriate outreach activities with those organizations; and ``(C) to coordinate services provided to veterans with services provided by those organizations. ``(f) Submission of Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the Secretary's plan under subsection (a), including goals and time lines for implementation of the plan for particular facilities and service networks. ``Sec. 2023. Demonstration program relating to referral and counseling for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who are at risk for homelessness ``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary and the Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Secretaries') shall carry out a demonstration program for the purpose of determining the costs and benefits of providing referral and counseling services to eligible veterans with respect to benefits and services available to such veterans under this title and under State law. ``(b) Location of Demonstration Program.--The demonstration program shall be carried out in at least six locations. One location shall be a penal institution under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Prisons. ``(c) Scope of Program.--(1) To the extent practicable, the demonstration program shall provide both referral and counseling, and in the case of counseling, shall include counseling with respect to job training and placement, housing, health care, and such other benefits to assist the eligible veteran in the transition from institutional living. ``(2)(A) To the extent that referral or counseling services are provided at a location under the program, referral services shall be provided in person during the 60-day period that precedes the date of release or discharge of the eligible veteran under subsection (f)(1)(B), and counseling services shall be furnished after such date. ``(B) The Secretaries may furnish to officials of penal institutions outreach information with respect to referral and counseling services for presentation to veterans in the custody of such officials during the 18-month period that precedes such date of release or discharge. ``(3) The Secretaries may enter into contracts to carry out the counseling required under the demonstration program with entities or organizations that meet such requirements as the Secretaries may establish. ``(4) In developing the demonstration program, the Secretaries shall consult with officials of the Bureau of Prisons, officials of penal institutions of States and political subdivisions of States, and such other officials as the Secretaries determine appropriate. ``(d) Report.--(1) Not later than two years after the commencement of the demonstration program, the Secretary (after consultation with the Secretary of Labor) shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the program. ``(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following: ``(A) A description of the implementation and operation of the program. ``(B) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. ``(C) Recommendations, if any, regarding an extension of the program. ``(e) Duration.--The authority of the Secretaries to provide counseling services under the demonstration program shall cease on the date that is four years after the date of the commencement of the demonstration program. ``(f) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) The term `eligible veteran' means a veteran who-- ``(A) is a resident of a penal institution or an institution that provides long-term care for mental illness; ``(B) is expected to be imminently released or discharged (as the case may be) from the facility or institution; and ``(C) is at risk for homelessness absent referral and counseling services provided under the program (as determined under guidelines established by the Secretaries). ``(2) The term `imminent' means, with respect to a release or discharge under paragraph (1)(B), the 60-day period that ends on the date of such release or discharge. ``SUBCHAPTER V--HOUSING ASSISTANCE ``Sec. 2042. Supported housing for veterans participating in compensated work therapies ``The Secretary may authorize homeless veterans in the compensated work therapy program to be provided housing through the therapeutic residence program under section 2032 of title or through grant and per diem providers under subchapter II of this chapter. ``Sec. 2043. Domiciliary care programs ``(a) Authority.--The Secretary may establish up to 10 programs under section 1710(b) of this title (in addition to any such program that is established as of the date of the enactment of this section) to provide domiciliary services under such section to homeless veterans. ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to establish the programs referred to in subsection (a). ``SUBCHAPTER VII--OTHER PROVISIONS ``Sec. 2061. Grant program for homeless veterans with special needs ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants to health care facilities of the Department and to grant and per diem providers in order to encourage development by those facilities and providers of programs targeted at meeting special needs within the population of homeless veterans. ``(b) Special Needs.--For purposes of this section, homeless veterans with special needs include homeless veterans who-- ``(1) are women; ``(2) are 50 years of age or older; ``(3) are substance abusers; ``(4) are persons with post-traumatic stress disorder; ``(5) are terminally ill; ``(6) are chronically mentally ill; or ``(7) have care of minor dependents or other family members. ``(c) Funding.--(1) From amounts appropriated to the Department for `Medical Care' for each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005, the amount of $10,000,000 shall be available for the purposes of the program under this section. ``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that funds for grants under this section are designated for the first three years of operation of the program under this section as a special purpose program for which funds are not allocated through the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system. ``Sec. 2062. Dental care ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H) of this title, outpatient dental services and treatment of a dental condition or disability of a veteran described in subsection (b) shall be considered to be medically necessary, subject to subsection (c), if-- ``(1) the dental services and treatment are necessary for the veteran to successfully gain or regain employment; ``(2) the dental services and treatment are necessary to alleviate pain; or ``(3) the dental services and treatment are necessary for treatment of moderate, severe, or severe and complicated gingival and periodontal pathology. ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--Subsection (a) applies to a veteran who is-- ``(1) enrolled for care under section 1705(a) of this title; and ``(2) who is receiving care (directly or by contract) in any of the following settings: ``(A) A domiciliary under section 1710 of this title. ``(B) A therapeutic residence under section 2032 of this title. ``(C) Community residential care coordinated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 1730 of this title. ``(D) A setting for which the Secretary provides funds for a grant and per diem provider. ``(c) Limitation.--Dental benefits provided by reason of this section shall be a one-time course of dental care provided in the same manner as the dental benefits provided to a newly discharged veteran. ``Sec. 2063. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based groups ``(a) Grant Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to make technical assistance grants to nonprofit community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to homeless veterans in order to assist such groups in applying for grants under this chapter and other grants relating to addressing problems of homeless veterans. [[Page 19892]] ``(b) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the amount of $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005 to carry out the program under this section. ``Sec. 2064. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans ``(a) Annual Report.--Not later than April 15 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the activities of the Department during the calendar year preceding the report under programs of the Department under this chapter and other programs of the Department for the provision of assistance to homeless veterans. ``(b) General Contents of Report.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following: ``(1) The number of homeless veterans provided assistance under those programs. ``(2) The cost to the Department of providing such assistance under those programs. ``(3) Any other information on those programs and on the provision of such assistance that the Secretary considers appropriate. ``(4) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs of the Department (including residential work- therapy programs, programs combining outreach, community- based residential treatment, and case-management, and contract care programs for alcohol and drug-dependence or use disabilities) in providing assistance to homeless veterans. ``(5) The Secretary's evaluation of the effectiveness of programs established by recipients of grants under section 2011 of this title and a description of the experience of those recipients in applying for and receiving grants from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to serve primarily homeless persons who are veterans. ``(c) Health Care Contents of Report.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to programs of the Department addressing health care needs of homeless veterans: ``(1) Information about expenditures, costs, and workload under the program of the Department known as the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program (HCHV). ``(2) Information about the veterans contacted through that program. ``(3) Information about processes under that program. ``(4) Information about program treatment outcomes under that program. ``(5) Information about supported housing programs. ``(6) Information about the Department's grant and per diem provider program under subchapter II of this chapter. ``(7) Other information the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the program. ``Sec. 2065. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans ``(a)(1) There is established in the Department the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Committee'). ``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the Secretary from among the following: ``(A) Veterans service organizations. ``(B) Advocates of homeless veterans and other homeless individuals. ``(C) Community-based providers of services to homeless individuals. ``(D) Previously homeless veterans. ``(E) State veterans affairs officials. ``(F) Experts in the treatment of individuals with mental illness. ``(G) Experts in the treatment of substance use disorders. ``(H) Experts in the development of permanent housing alternatives for lower income populations. ``(I) Experts in vocational rehabilitation. ``(J) Such other organizations or groups as the Secretary considers appropriate. ``(3) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members-- ``(A) the Secretary of Labor (or a representative of the Secretary selected after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment); ``(B) the Secretary of Defense (or a representative of the Secretary); ``(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a representative of the Secretary); and ``(D) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or a representative of the Secretary). ``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of service may not exceed three years. The Secretary may reappoint any member for additional terms of service. ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the provision by the Department of benefits and services to homeless veterans. ``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this subsection, the Committee shall-- ``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs of homeless veterans; ``(ii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the Department in assisting homeless veterans; and ``(iii) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate means of providing assistance to homeless veterans. ``(3) The Committee shall-- ``(A) review the continuum of services provided by the Department directly or by contract in order to define cross- cutting issues and to improve coordination of all services with the Department that are involved in addressing the special needs of homeless veterans; ``(B) identify (through the annual assessments under section 2034 of this title and other available resources) gaps in programs of the Department in serving homeless veterans, including identification of geographic areas with unmet needs, and provide recommendations to address those program gaps; ``(C) identify gaps in existing information systems on homeless veterans, both within and outside of the Department, and provide recommendations about redressing problems in data collection; ``(D) identify barriers under existing laws and policies to effective coordination by the Department with other Federal agencies and with State and local agencies addressing homeless populations; ``(E) identify opportunities for increased liaison by the Department with nongovernmental organizations and individual groups addressing homeless populations; ``(F) with appropriate officials of the Department designated by the Secretary, participate with the Interagency Council on the Homeless under title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11311 et seq.); ``(G) recommend appropriate funding levels for specialized programs for homeless veterans provided or funded by the Department; ``(H) recommend appropriate placement options for veterans who, because of advanced age, frailty, or severe mental illness, may not be appropriate candidates for vocational rehabilitation or independent living; and ``(I) perform such other functions as the Secretary may direct. ``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the Department that relate to homeless veterans. Each such report shall include-- ``(A) an assessment of the needs of homeless veterans; ``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the Department designed to meet such needs; ``(C) a review of the activities of the Committee; and ``(D) such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate. ``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning the report that the Secretary considers appropriate. ``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate. ``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to that section. ``(d) The Committee shall cease to exist December 31, 2006.''. (2) The tables of chapters before part I and at the beginning of part II are each amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 19 the following new item: ``20. Benefits for Homeless Veterans........................2001''..... (b) Health Care.--(1) Subchapter VII of chapter 17 is transferred to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)), inserted after section 2023 (as so added), and redesignated as subchapter IV, and sections 1771, 1772, 1773, and 1774 therein are redesignated as sections 2031, 2032, 2033, and 2034, respectively. (2) Subsection (a)(3) of section 2031, as so transferred and redesignated, is amended by striking ``section 1772 of this title'' and inserting ``section 2032 of this title''. (c) Housing Assistance.--Section 3735 is transferred to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)), inserted after the heading for subchapter V, and redesignated as section 2041. (d) Multifamily Transitional Housing.--(1) Subchapter VI of chapter 37 (other than section 3771) is transferred to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)) and inserted after section 2043 (as added by subsection (a)), and sections 3772, 3773, 3774, and 3775 therein are redesignated as sections 2051, 2052, 2053, and 2054, respectively. (2) Such subchapter is amended-- (A) in the heading, by striking ``FOR HOMELESS VETERANS''; (B) in subsection (d)(1) of section 2051, as so transferred and redesignated, by striking ``section 3773 of this title'' and inserting ``section 2052 of this title''; and [[Page 19893]] (C) in subsection (a) of section 2052, as so transferred and redesignated, by striking ``section 3772 of this title'' and inserting ``section 2051 of this title''. (3) Section 3771 is repealed. (e) Repeal of Codified Provisions.--The following provisions of law are repealed: (1) Sections 3, 4, and 12 of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102- 590; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note). (2) Section 1001 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-446; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note). (3) Section 4111. (4) Section 738 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11448). (f) Extension of Expiring Authorities.--Subsection (b) of section 2031, as redesignated by subsection (b)(1), and subsection (d) of section 2033, as so redesignated, are amended by striking ``December 31, 2001'' and inserting ``December 31, 2006''. (g) Clerical Amendments.-- (1) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 is amended by striking the item relating to subchapter VII and the items relating to sections 1771, 1772, 1773, and 1774. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 is amended-- (A) by striking the item relating to section 3735; and (B) by striking the item relating to subchapter VI and the items relating to sections 3771, 3772, 3773, 3774, and 3775. (3) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 is amended by striking the item relating to section 4111. SEC. 6. EVALUATION OF HOMELESS PROGRAMS. (a) Evaluation Centers.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall support the continuation within the Department of Veterans Affairs of at least one center for evaluation to monitor the structure, process, and outcome of programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs that address homeless veterans. (b) Annual Program Assessment.--Section 2034(b), as transferred and redesignated by section 5(b)(1), is amended-- (1) by inserting ``annual'' in paragraph (1) after ``to make an''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) The Secretary shall review each annual assessment under this subsection and shall consolidate the findings and conclusions of those assessments into an annual report to be submitted to Congress.''. SEC. 7. STUDY OF OUTCOME EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. (a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study of the effectiveness during fiscal year 2002 through fiscal year 2004 of the grant program under section 2061 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 5(a), in meeting the needs of homeless veterans with special needs (as specified in that section). As part of the study, the Secretary shall compare the results of programs carried out under that section, in terms of veterans' satisfaction, health status, reduction in addiction severity, housing, and encouragement of productive activity, with results for similar veterans in programs of the Department or of grant and per diem providers that are designed to meet the general needs of homeless veterans. (b) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2005, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report setting forth the results of the study under subsection (a). SEC. 8. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMATIC EXPANSIONS. (a) Access to Mental Health Services.--Section 1706 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(c) The Secretary shall develop standards to ensure that mental health services are available to veterans in a manner similar to the manner in which primary care is available to veterans who require services by ensuring that each primary care health care facility of the Department has a mental health treatment capacity.''. (b) Comprehensive Homeless Services Program.--Subsection (b) of section 2033, as transferred and redesignated by section 5(b)(1), is amended-- (1) by striking ``not fewer'' in the first sentence and all that follows through ``services) at''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The Secretary shall carry out the program under this section in sites in at least each of the 20 largest metropolitan statistical areas.''. (c) Opioid Substitution Therapy.--Section 1720A is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(d) The Secretary shall ensure that opioid substitution therapy is available at each Department medical center.''. SEC. 9. COORDINATION OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. (a) Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program.--Section 4103A(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(11) Coordination of services provided to veterans with training assistance provided to veterans by entities receiving financial assistance under section 2021 of this title.''. (b) Local Veterans' Employment Representatives.--Section 4104(b) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(13) Coordinate services provided to veterans with training assistance for veterans provided by entities receiving financial assistance under section 2021 of this title.''. SEC. 10. USE OF REAL PROPERTY. (a) Limitation on Declaring Property Excess to the Needs of the Department.--Section 8122(d) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``and is not suitable for use for the provision of services to homeless veterans by the Department or by another entity under an enhanced-use lease of such property under section 8162 of this title''. (b) Waiver of Competitive Selection Process for Enhanced- Use Leases for Properties Used To Serve Homeless Veterans.-- Section 8162(b)(1) is amended-- (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(b)(1)''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) In the case of a property that the Secretary determines is appropriate for use as a facility to furnish services to homeless veterans under chapter 20 of this title, the Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease without regard to the selection procedures required under subparagraph (A).''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to leases entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 11. MEETINGS OF INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESS. Section 202(c) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11312(c)) is amended to read as follows: ``(c) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of its Chairperson or a majority of its members, but not less often than annually.''. SEC. 12. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM. Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(19) Rental vouchers for veterans affairs supported housing program.-- ``(A) Set aside.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall set aside, from amounts made available for rental assistance under this subsection, the amounts specified in subparagraph (B) for use only for providing such assistance through a supported housing program administered in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such program shall provide rental assistance on behalf of homeless veterans who have chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance use disorders, shall require agreement of the veteran to continued treatment for such mental illness or substance use disorder as a condition of receipt of such rental assistance, and shall ensure such treatment and appropriate case management for each veteran receiving such rental assistance. ``(B) Amount.--The amount specified in this subparagraph is-- ``(i) for fiscal year 2003, the amount necessary to provide 500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection; ``(ii) for fiscal year 2004, the amount necessary to provide 1,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection; ``(iii) for fiscal year 2005, the amount necessary to provide 1,500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection; and ``(iv) for fiscal year 2006, the amount necessary to provide 2,000 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection. ``(C) Funding through incremental assistance.--In any fiscal year, to the extent that this paragraph requires the Secretary to set aside rental assistance amounts for use under this paragraph in an amount that exceeds that set aside in the preceding fiscal year, such requirement shall be effective only to such extent or in such amounts as are or have been provided in appropriation Acts for such fiscal year for incremental rental assistance under this subsection.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are 225,000 homeless veterans living on the streets on any given night. Other organizations, VSOs, believe that the number is higher, closer to 300,000. Either number is far, far too high and a national travesty. For these veterans, access to VA benefits, specialized services and effective outreach are vital components to any hope of individual stability and improvement in their prospects. The legislation before the House today, H.R. 2716, is designed to provide assistance to these men and women, with a national goal of ending chronic homelessness among veterans within 10 years. Mr. Speaker, legislation is about more than programs and regulations; it [[Page 19894]] is about real people. Let me spend just a moment describing to the House the remarkable life of one, just one, but a very, very important guy, who had his life changed because of the VA. It made a major difference in his life. Stuart Alan Collick is a 39-year-old veteran from my State of New Jersey. Last month he appeared before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to tell his story. Stuart joined the all-volunteer army at the age of 23 and told us he could not think of any higher calling than to serve his country, and he did it with distinction. Stuart had combat service in Grenada, and later distinguished himself as an infantryman in the Persian Gulf War. He holds the Army Service Ribbon with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon, three Bronze Stars, and three Good Conduct Medals, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge, among other official recognition. He served, as I said, with distinction; and he did his duty. But, as you know, combat is an extremely unpleasant and a very terrible experience for many and leaves scars that sometimes do not heal. Mr. Collick left the Army in 1992 a disillusioned man and he began drinking, and then he turned to hard drug use. Within 5 years of discharge, he had lost his job, his family and his home, and was on the streets. His life, like that of many other homeless addicted veterans, was in chaos. Last year, Mr. Collick found the VA Homeless Assistance Program of New Jersey. With the VA's help and with his faith, he turned his life around, finding new ways to cope. He found a job and his own apartment. He developed new friendships and reestablished relationships with his family, which had been severed. Today Mr. Collick is working as a carpenter and a foreman on the VA's veterans construction team at Lyons, New Jersey, helping to build a commercial greenhouse and teaching other veterans how to build something positive, showing them by his own personal example that there is hope. Today Mr. Collick is a role model. He is an inspiration to his fellow veterans in early recovery and drawing strength from his own experiences in the Army and in his life. This is what this bill is all about. The VA's construction project is a plan of the innovative leader of New Jersey's Homeless Assistance Program for Veterans, John Kuhn, who also testified at our hearing and is doing a magnificent job; and he testified with a few other veterans who, likewise, told their stories of being down at the bottom, but finding hope and finding that lifesaver from the VA. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to pinpoint any one cause of homelessness among our veterans. Readjustment problems are often associated with direct exposure to combat, such as Mr. Collick's case, and that of thousands, tens of thousands, of others like him, who returned to a seemingly uncaring society. Also we know that the majority of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness, including posttraumatic stress disorder. Illegal substance abuse often complicates their situations. Some have even served time in jail. A veteran with an impaired mental state often loses the ability to maintain stable employment. Absent employment, it eventually becomes difficult to maintain any type of permanent housing. The vicious cycle can only accelerate once employment and housing are lost. The absence of these two important anchors, employment and housing, is a precursor for increased utilization of medical resources and emergency rooms, VA and other public hospitals, and, unfortunately, the resources of America's courtrooms, jails and prisons as well. That is why our legislation takes a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to addressing chronic homelessness among veterans, concentrating the resources of Federal agencies in this campaign. For example, H.R. 2716 authorizes 2,000 additional HUD section 8 low-income housing vouchers phased in over 4 years for homeless veterans in need of permanent housing. These veterans must be enrolled in the VA health care, and priority will be given to veterans under care for mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders. This is a modest proposal that, if successful, I hope will be increased substantially going forward into the future. H.R. 2617 also authorizes $10 million over 2 years for 10 new Domiciliary for Homeless Veterans programs. These programs, like the one at Lyons, New Jersey, helped Stuart Collick. Again, it was his lifeline; and they have proven to be highly effective, and we need to have more. The bill improves and expands the VA's homeless grant and per diem program. Currently, recipients of these funds are already contributing substantially to the fulfillment of this bill's objective, to reduce homelessness and provide for the special needs of homeless veterans. This bill authorizes $285 million over 4 years for that program. It also provides a new mechanism for setting per diem payment so it will be adjusted on a regular basis. Working, as we all know, is an important key to helping homeless veterans rejoin American society, but employment is not possible unless a veteran has access to quality medical care and other supportive services. Safe and drug-free housing is equally important. The Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program was designed to put homeless veterans back into the labor force. H.R. 2716 extends and increases the authorization level to $250 million over 5 years for this very effective program. As I indicated, prevention of homelessness among veterans is an important objective of our bill. H.R. 2716 authorizes a demonstration program to learn whether earlier intervention can prevent homelessness among formerly institutionalized veterans. The program would be carried out at six demonstration sites, one of which would be with the Bureau of Prisons facilities. The purpose of this program is to provide incarcerated veterans with referral and counseling about job training, housing, health care and other needs determined necessary to assist the veteran in transition from institutionalized living to civil life. Mr. Speaker, these are just some of the highlights of our comprehensive bill, the Stuart Collick-Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans' Assistance Act. I believe the bill accomplishes several very important and interrelated goals. It will provide needed assistance to homeless veterans, lift them to a sustainable level that will prevent them from returning to a state of homelessness, and help them to become self-sufficient individuals who are accountable for their own actions. This bill will also hold all grant and contract recipients accountable for performing their promised services in exchange for government investments and promote a greater opportunity to work across Departments to provide the best possible service for our Nation's homeless veterans. It also sponsors innovative approaches at prevention of homelessness in high-risk groups within the veterans population. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank my very good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the committee's ranking member, for a bill he introduced earlier, H.R. 936, to improve Homeless Veterans Assistance Programs. The gentleman and his staff have worked in good faith with me and my staff in fashioning a bill that is truly a bipartisan bill that has taken many elements that are out there, made those that are already working hopefully more responsive, hopefully, and, as this bill would do, provide additional resources for them. I do hope that this will move through the House and obviously to the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I add the following for the Record. U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, October 12, 2001. Hon. Michael G. Oxley, Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Oxley: Thank you for your letter regarding your Committee's jurisdictional interest in H.R. 2716, the ``Stuart Collick-Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act''. [[Page 19895]] I acknowledge your committee's jurisdictional interest in this legislation and appreciate your cooperation in moving the bill to the House floor expeditiously. I agree that your decision to forego further action on the bill will not prejudice the Committee on Financial Services with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. I will include a copy of your letter and this response in the Committee's report on the bill and the Congressional Record when the legislation is considered by the House. Thank you again for your cooperation. Sincerely, Christopher H. Smith, Chairman. ____ U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC, October 11, 2001. Hon. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Smith: I understand that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs recently ordered H.R. 2716, the Stuart Collick-Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act, reported to the House. As you know, the Committee on Financial Services was granted an additional referral upon the bill's introduction pursuant to the Committee's jurisdiction over housing under rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives. Because of the importance of this matter, I recognize your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and will waive consideration of the bill by the Financial Services Committee. By agreeing to waive its consideration of the bill, the Financial Services Committee does not waive its jurisdiction over H.R. 2716. In addition, the Committee on Financial Services reserves its authority to seek conferees on any provisions of the bill that are within the Financial Services Committee's jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may be convened on this legislation. I ask your commitment to support any request by the Committee on Financial Services for conferees on H.R. 2716 or related legislation. I request that you include this letter and your response as part of the Congressional Record during consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely, Michael G. Oxley, Chairman. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I salute the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman Smith) as well. He has done excellent work in bringing this bill about on a very short basis. We know the gentleman has outlined it pretty well. I wanted to just offer a few random thoughts. Mr. Speaker, we were all horrified by the devastation caused at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, as well as the tragic loss of innocent life in Pennsylvania which also occurred. Since these senseless acts of terrorism, our service members have been called to put their lives on the line once again. Many of us have paused to take stock of how America treats their fallen heroes, our veterans. Fortunately, we have a measure before us today that reflects the appreciation of a grateful Nation. This bipartisan legislation we brought to the House floor today will benefit our homeless veterans. Originally, I had introduced comprehensive homeless veterans legislation in the 106th Congress. Earlier this year I again introduced comprehensive legislation, which received the support of more than 130 bipartisan cosponsors, H.R. 936, as its predecessor was named, to honor the contributions of Miss America 2000 Heather French Henry on behalf of the homeless veterans in our country. During her years of service as Miss America, she was an untiring advocate for our Nation's veterans and succeeded as no one else in increasing public awareness about this issue. She educated the American people as a result and gave hope to those in need. She is the daughter of a combat-wounded veteran whom she accompanied to the VA for his medical care. Her uncle was also a combat veteran who became homeless after his service to our Nation. She advocated on behalf of homeless veterans with sensitivity and compassion, and I thank her for her contributions. H.R. 936 addressed some of the most pragmatic hurdles I believe homeless veterans face in re-attaining optimum independence and productivity. Many of the building blocks for homeless veterans' programs are contained in the VA's mental health infrastructure, but there is not enough vital substance abuse and mental health care programs to help our veterans on to the path of sobriety and increased functionality. I believe that H.R. 2716, as amended, will help us address these deficits and help balance and improve the VA's program for homeless veterans. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner). Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), for his long years of activity on behalf of the homeless veterans in this Nation, and the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman Smith), who brings his passion to this activity; and when the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman Smith) brings passion to any area, he succeeds. I thank the gentleman for bringing his intensity to this bill and to this issue. Mr. Speaker, it is disgraceful that in this Nation, 250,000 to 350,000 veterans are on the street every night; people who have served this country, men and women who have risked their lives here and abroad to give our Nation freedom, and yet, for a variety of reasons, they are homeless tonight. It is a disgrace that this Nation allows this to occur, and it is especially a disgrace that as we are moving more men and women into harm's way, as we fight this war of the 21st century, we have their forbears on the street and not able to participate fully in American life. {time} 1630 We know we can change this situation. Many of my colleagues have been to what is referred to as stand-downs around the Nation. The first one happened in my hometown of San Diego in 1987 and I have been at every one of them since. The first 10 or so stand-downs that I went to were immensely moving. What we saw is that people who had been fearful and without any kind of roots in the community were able to come together, be together for 3 days, and the whole community was supporting them and brought in resources that allowed them to be human beings again, and it gave them the resources, in fact, to take and become part of society once more. There was legal advice. There was medical advice. There was job counseling. There were dentists. There were clothes. There was food. There was mental health counseling, drug abuse counseling. But, most of all, there was fellowship and comradeship, and the sense that these, our Nation's veterans, can be cared for once the community decided to do so. Well, I went to those stand-downs for a decade, moved by the results and moved by the stories that I heard, but then I said, we have learned from these stand-downs that we can solve the problem. For 3 days we have given these men and women something to hope for and something to share and a way out of their predicament, but what happens to the other 362 days? Why does this country not care for those veterans, our veterans, the other 362 days? I said, I am tired of going to stand- downs. What we have to do as a Nation is bring all of those programs together and deal with these heroes of our society. That is what the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs is attempting to do with this bill, and that is what the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois, (Mr. Evans), with his contributions and his original bill, have attempted to do. They have attempted to bring the different programs together that we know work around medical care, around housing, around job development, around substance abuse and alcohol counseling but, most of all, around the concept that this Nation is not going to let veterans languish on the streets of our country. We have had enough of this. As we are sending new folks into battle, and as we are creating new veterans, we cannot forget the quarter of a million, the 350,000 that are on the streets tonight. So this bill is a step, a major step, a big step in the direction of bringing [[Page 19896]] those programs together and telling the Nation that we are going to get rid of this problem. I hope that this bill does not become just a bill that authorizes some programs, that this is a bill that is funded, fully funded to take care of people who have taken care of us. We can no longer tolerate this in America. I ask my colleagues not only to pass this bill, but to fight in the appropriations process for money and to take any step that must be taken after this to address the issues that we know have to be addressed. Mr. Speaker, this is not rocket science. We know what to do. We know how to bring the resources together. The community does that in San Diego and virtually in every major city and other small towns across this country during the stand-downs. Let us make this bill a stand-down for 365 days a year where veterans of our Nation, the heroes of our Nation, can get the help they need and return to our society as productive members. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans). We are going to take care of our heroes. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute, just to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) for his kind remarks and also to make note that the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the chairman of our Subcommittee on Health, was very, very helpful in crafting this legislation. He is not here today because he is at the White House, or he would be here. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), a member of the committee and a Vietnam veteran himself. Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full and complete support of the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act. First and foremost, this is a bipartisan bill. I think that is incredibly important. During consideration of this bill and its various parts within the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, there were some occasional disagreements, but these were all resolved on a bipartisan basis and all of the various elements of this bill came together so that when this bill ultimately was marked up and reported out of committee, my recollection is that it was unanimous and in fact, I am certain it was unanimous. I think that is an important part of why this is a good bill and why this bill deserves our support. I believe that all bills dealing with veterans should be bipartisan, because their service to their country is not based on a partisan consideration. When you are in the field, when you are on the frontline, when you are in a foxhole, when you are flying an airplane, when you are on an aircraft carrier or submarine, you do not ask the party affiliation of your comrade in arms. It does not matter. What matters is that you are serving a great Nation and you should be rewarded for your service because you did serve a great Nation, and that should be bipartisan. I will also note that this bill, in addressing the issue of homelessness, sets a national goal to eliminate homelessness among veterans in 10 years, in 10 years. I think that is an important goal, and I think that is a goal that we should work towards. It also provides veterans and homeless veterans, especially those with mental issues, priority when it comes to the benefits of this bill. I think that is a very important thing to consider. I left Vietnam in 1972. My last tour in Vietnam ended in 1972. That was almost 30 years ago. Here we are 30 years later, and there are still Vietnam veterans on the streets of our cities homeless in our communities across this country. Thirty years after the war is over, and there are still homeless veterans. The problem is that the issue of homelessness with veterans goes beyond simply providing a house, a place to live, a structure. One cannot be happy in a house if one is not happy in one's own heart or in one's own head. For many of these veterans, we have to get to the issues of their heart and their head before we can find a home for them. That is exactly what this legislation does. It partners the veteran with people in various bureaucracies, various elements of the administration, various aspects of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs so that this veteran can actually come home in his heart and in his head to a home. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of our committee, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the ranking member, and the members of the committee for their fine work on this bill. Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to conclude. At the end of every movie we always see a list of credits, and they are the people really, not just the director or even the actor or actress that makes that movie, it is that cast of people that really do the nuts and bolts work of any movie. Well, the same goes for legislation. I think every one of us are very well aware how important staff is, and I just want to say how grateful I am to the professionalism and the competence and, above all, the compassion of our very fine staff. It is a bipartisan staff headed up by Pat Ryan, our Chief Counsel and Chief of Staff; John Bradley, Kimberly Cowins, Greg Carmichael, Kingston Smith, Jeannie McNally, Summer Larson, Darryl Kehrer, Paige McManus, Peter Dickenson, Devon Seibert, Jerry Tan and Art Wu, and the ranking member's staff, including Mike Dunishin and Susan Edgerton, all of whom played major roles in crafting this legislation. I want to express my sincerest gratitude. Mr. Speaker, this truly is a bipartisan bill. We really want to end the horrific tragedy of homelessness for our veterans, end it for everyone, but first and foremost, those who served this country. Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, the homeless assistance bill before the House today is a bipartisan product. The Committee has combined the best elements of the Chairman's bill, H.R. 2716, the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001, with those of Mr. Evans' bill, H.R. 936, and I believe our efforts will make a major impact in stemming homelessness in the veteran population. This legislation incorporates accountability, innovation, prevention, and funding programs that work to reduce homelessness. I believe these are the right tools, and this is the right moment, for us to make a concerted effort to help our homeless veterans. I want to thank Mr. Filner and Mr. Evans for their excellent work to bring this consensus bill to the House floor today. I congratulate the Chairman of our full Committee, Ranking Member Evans and other Members who have worked on this bill for their substantial contribution to an effort to finally solve this vexing problem. The latest count of homeless veterans totals over 225,000. Those of us who are comfortable in our lives have no idea how horrible these veterans lives are. Access to VA benefits, specialized services and effective outreach are vital components to any hope these individuals have in changing their lives. This bill can help our country's veterans return to a state of self- sufficiency, accountable for their own actions, with life skills to cope. Our goal is to eliminate chronic homelessness among veterans within ten years. By voting for this bill we take the first step in obtaining our goal of reducing our homeless veteran population. Also, some of our efforts may serve as models for homeless assistance programs for others. Mr. Speaker, our veterans cannot wait any longer for us to take action on this problem. Homeless veterans need assistance today; they need our help. Please support this measure. Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2716, the James Drappeaux-Stuart Collick-Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this measure and I would like to thank Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Evans, and my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs Committee for their hard work on this importannt legislation. For far too long, too many of the men and women who have served in our nation's military have been homeless. It is a sad fact that an estimated 225,000 veterans throughout the United States live on the streets. That is why I am pleased today to support the passage of [[Page 19897]] H.R. 2716, which is a critical step in addressing this shameful situation in our country. Among several other provisions included in this bill, H.R. 2716 authorizes 2,000 additional HUD section 8 low- income housing vouchers over 4 years for homeless veterans, establishes a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, and establishes a limited dental provision for veterans using VA homeless programs. In addition, H.R. 2716 establishes evaluation centers for programs that serve homeless populations and requires annual program assessments to be submitted to Congress. These are just a few of the many critical provisions in H.R. 2716 that will help eliminate the problem of chronic homelessness among veterans. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation for the men and women who have sacrificed so much in defense of liberty and democracy. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2716, the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001. I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this timely appropriate legislation. This legislation authorizes, in addition to the current existing program, 500 Department of Housing and Urban Development low-income housing vouchers per year for the next 4 years. Along with this, the bill also requires the Veterans Health Administration to increase the number of caseworkers so that all veterans who receive such a housing voucher can be seen by a case manager. The legislation also requires the VA to ensure the accuracy of its reporting system on: the demand for services by homeless veterans, the level of understanding among grant recipients of their responsibility to serve homeless veterans, and the development of an evaluation system to analyze the progress of veterans enrolled in the program, and on the overall effectiveness of the various homeless programs. The Secretary is also given the authority to rescind or recover homeless grant funds from those programs that fail to meet their established guidelines for using such money with relation to offering services to homeless veterans. In terms of specific funding, the bill provides $60 million for fiscal year 2002 for the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program, and raises this amount to $75 million for fiscal years 2003-2005. Moreover, it also directs the VA Secretary to establish 10 new domiciliary for homeless veterans programs, and authorizes $5 million per year for this purpose beginning in 2003. Finally, the legislation strengthens and expands job training and counseling services offered through the Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. Additional services are authorized through the creation of a demonstration project in six locations for veterans in institutional confinement, particularly those with substance abuse problems or mental illnesses. These services are designed to facilitate the successful reintegration of the veteran into productive society. The issue of homeless veterans is one of our Government's more significant failures with regards to military and social policy. Every night thousands of veterans sleep on the streets or inside shelters. Additionally, many of these individuals have criminal records, substance abuse problems, and are often mentally ill. Simply put, this is inexcusable. These veterans answered their country's call to service in their prime years. We as a nation have an obligation to these men and women to ensure that they at least have a roof over their heads, and whatever assistance they may require to deal with the demons of mental illness or substance abuse. This bill takes a significant step toward this goal. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to lend it their wholehearted support. Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to thank our distinguished chairman and ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee for crafting this bipartisan legislation that targets the specialized needs of a often-neglected population within the veterans community--the homeless--which has very little access to services. Last year, the VA issued a report on homeless veterans. It found that during 1999 there were an estimated 344,983 homeless veterans, an increase of 34 percent above the 1998 estimate. Many of our homeless veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses in addition to drug addiction. Unfortunately, the VA has cut the number of inpatient beds in half. Many have argued, and the committee has heard testimony to this effect, that the lack of inpatient beds has adversely affected the quality of care for veterans who suffer from substance abuse, many of whom are homeless. The VA admitted during a hearing that they have not met 1996 capacity requirements for substance abuse. So while I'm happy H.R. 2716 authorizes more resources for homeless programs and promotes greater accountability and oversight for these programs, I have concerns with some of VA's policies, which may hinder implementation. In particular, the VA's move from inpatient hospital settings to community based clinics may have unintentionally turned homeless veterans away from treatment. Therefore, I hope this legislation will enable the VA to better serve this population through aggressive outreach efforts and to render much-needed services as quickly as possible. The events of the past month have reminded us that our Nation's peace and security must be protected at any cost. Those men and women who answer the call to defend our democracy when it is under attack should be assured that we will take care of them during their time of crisis. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2716, as amended. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirmative. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________