HR 2716 IH
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
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.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 2, 2001
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. BUYER, and Mr. SIMMONS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for homeless veterans.
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 `Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001'.
(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. Sense of the Congress regarding the needs of homeless veterans and the responsibility of Federal agencies.
Sec. 3. Improvement and consolidation of provisions of law relating to homeless veterans.
Sec. 4. Rental assistance vouchers for HUD Veterans Affairs supported housing program.
Sec. 5. Increase in representative payee services for homeless veterans.
Sec. 6. Joint methodology to monitor results of services furnished to homeless veterans.
Sec. 7. Enhanced-use leases for facilities that serve homeless veterans.
Sec. 8. Authorization of additional domiciliary care programs.
Sec. 9. Demonstration program relating to referral and counseling for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who are at risk for homelessness.
Sec. 10. Demonstration program for grants for independent group homes for recovering veterans.
(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. 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) Federal programs for the assistance of homeless veterans that are effective should be identified and expanded;
(2) federally funded programs for homeless veterans should be held accountable for achieving clearly defined results;
(3) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should include prevention of homelessness; and
(4) 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. 3. IMPROVEMENT AND CONSOLIDATION 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
`Sec.
`subchapter ii--comprehensive service programs
`2012. Per diem payments.
`2013. Authorization of appropriations.
`subchapter iii--training
`2021. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs.
`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.
`2035. Representative payee services.
`subchapter v--housing assistance
`2041. Housing assistance for homeless veterans.
`subchapter vi--loan guarantees for multifamily transitional housing
`2051. General authority.
`subchapter vii--miscellaneous provisions
`2061. Annual report on assistance to homeless veterans.
`SUBCHAPTER I--PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS
`Sec. 2001. Purpose
`The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the special needs of homeless veterans.
`Sec. 2002. Definitions
`(1) The term `homeless veteran' means a homeless individual who is a veteran.
`(2) The term `homeless individual' has the meaning given such term by section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302).
`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:
`(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, 2003.
`(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 such State and community requirements that may apply, but fire and safety requirements applicable to buildings of the Federal Government shall not apply to real property to be used by a grantee in carrying out the grant.
`(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 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.
`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 applicable 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) IN-KIND ASSISTANCE- In lieu of per diem payments under this section, the Secretary may, with the approval of the grant recipient, provide in-kind assistance (through the services of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the use of other Department resources) to a grant recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant) under section 2011 of this title.
`(c) 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.
`(d) RECOVERY OF UNUSED GRANT FUNDS- (1) If a grant recipient (or entity eligible for such a grant) under section 2011 of this title does not establish a program in accordance with that 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.
`Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations
`There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter amounts as follows:
`(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
`(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
`(3) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
`(4) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
`(5) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
`(6) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
`SUBCHAPTER III--TRAINING
`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) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
`(B) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
`(C) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
`(D) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
`(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.
`SUBCHAPTER V--HOUSING ASSISTANCE
`SUBCHAPTER VII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
`Sec. 2061. 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) 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.'.
(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:
2001'.
(b) HEALTH CARE- (1) Subchapter VII of chapter 17 is transferred to chapter 20 (as added by subsection (a)), inserted after section 2021 (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 2041 (as transferred and redesignated by subsection (c)), 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
(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).
(4) Section 738 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11448).
(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. 4. RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS FOR HUD VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM.
(a) INCREASE IN NUMBER OF VOUCHERS- 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 2005-2010, 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.'.
(b) INCREASE IN NUMBER OF VHA CASE MANAGERS- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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. 5. INCREASE IN REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SERVICES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 20 (as added by section 3(a)) is amended by inserting after section 2034 (as transferred and redesignated by section 3(b)) the following new section:
`Sec. 2035. Representative payee services
`The Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with community agencies to provide representative payee services for veterans who are not competent to manage their own personal funds. Any such contract shall require that an entity acting as representative payee for a veteran shall work in consort with care providers of the Veterans Health Administration to ensure that all Government funds are used appropriately (such as for shelter, nutrition, and necessary health care services).'.
(b) REPORT- Not later than March 1, 2003, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the Secretary's efforts to expand contracts described in section 2035 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and on savings from cost-of-care avoidance resulting from such contracts.
SEC. 6. JOINT METHODOLOGY TO MONITOR RESULTS OF SERVICES FURNISHED TO HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) RESULTS OF VETERANS FURNISHED SERVICES UNDER FEDERAL HOMELESS PROGRAMS- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Secretaries') shall jointly establish a methodology to monitor--
(1) veterans who have been furnished any service under any program funded or operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban Development under which services are furnished to homeless veterans; and
(2) any unmet demand by such veterans for any such service.
(b) METHODOLOGY- (1) The methodology under subsection (a) shall include monitoring of standardized measurements and outcomes of such services furnished to veterans. Such standardized measurements and outcomes include measurable improved performance outcomes in the areas of mental illness, substance use disorders, general health, housing, and employment.
(2) Such standardized measurements and outcomes shall provide information with respect the following:
(A) Number of homeless veterans that reside in suitable, permanent housing by reason of such services.
(B) Number of homeless veterans employed, and their employment earnings, by of such services.
(C) Number of homeless veterans that have avoided relapses into the conditions that led to previous homelessness, such as mental illness or substance use disorders.
(D) Any other information that Secretaries determine appropriate to evaluate the outcomes of services furnished to homeless veterans.
(c) IMPLEMENTATION- Not later than January 1, 2003, the Secretaries shall implement the methodology established under subsection (a).
(d) ANNUAL REPORT- Beginning with the annual report to Congress required under section 2061 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 3(a), for 2004, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall include in that annual report results of the monitoring of homeless veterans required under this section.
SEC. 7. ENHANCED-USE LEASES FOR FACILITIES THAT SERVE HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) 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).'.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to leases entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL DOMICILIARY CARE PROGRAMS.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may establish up to ten programs under section 1710(b) of title 38, United States Code (in addition to any such program that is established as of the date of the enactment of this Act) to provide domiciliary services under section 1710(b) of such title to homeless veterans (as defined in section 2002(1) of such title (as added by section 3(a)).
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to establish the programs referred to in subsection (a).
SEC. 9. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM RELATING TO REFERRAL AND COUNSELING FOR VETERANS TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS WHO ARE AT RISK FOR HOMELESSNESS.
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORITY- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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 title 38, United States Code, 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 of Veterans Affairs (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 `veteran' has the meaning given that term under section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.
(3) 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.
SEC. 10. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR GRANTS FOR INDEPENDENT GROUP HOMES FOR RECOVERING VETERANS.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Secretary') shall carry out a demonstration program under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities to establish a project to provide independent housing units in group houses sponsored by the entities for occupancy by veterans recovering from alcohol or other substance use disorders.
(b) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT PER GROUP HOUSE- The amount of any individual grant under this program for the establishment of a group house may not exceed $5,000.
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- 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 nonprofit private entity with the capacity (as determined by the Secretary) to effectively carry out 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 subsection (e) (and the Secretary has determined that the applicant has demonstrated the capacity to meet those criteria and requirements).
(d) APPLICATION REQUIREMENT- In order to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity 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 (e).
(e) 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) The eligible entity has in effect policies that--
(A) prohibit the use of alcohol or any illegal drug in the group house;
(B) provide for the immediate expulsion of any resident of the group house who violates the prohibition described in subparagraph (A);
(C) provide that payment for the costs of the housing, including fees for rent, and utilities, and all other fees applicable under residential leases on the part of the tenant, are made by the residents of the group house; and
(D) provide that rules of conduct for residents of the group house are made by majority vote of the residents, including rules regarding the manner in which applications for residence in the group house are approved.
(2) A group house shall provide for residence of not more than 10 veterans.
(f) RECOVERY OF GRANT FUNDS- (1) If an eligible entity does not establish a project in accordance with the requirements of this section or ceases to be in accordance with such requirements for which the grant was made, the United States shall be entitled to recover from such entity the total of all unused grant amounts made under this section to such recipient or entity in connection with such project.
(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 section.
(g) REGULATIONS- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out the demonstration program under this section.
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- For purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $250,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004.
(i) REPORT- Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report describing the grants made under this section. The report shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of the effectiveness of the demonstration program, including the number of grants awarded.
(2) The geographic locations of the group houses established under the program.
(3) The number of veterans residing in each group house, the average number of veterans in all group houses, and the average length of stay for veterans in group houses.
(4) The number of veterans who were expelled from such group houses.
(5) Recommendations for extending, expanding, or modifying the program or funding under this section.
END