38 U.S.C. § 2001 — Purpose

Page 559 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 2001 Sec. 2044. Financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in per- manent housing. 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. Employment assistance. 2064. Technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based groups. 2065. Annual report on assistance to homeless vet- erans. 2066. Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. 2067. National Center on Homelessness Among Vet- erans. 2068. Mental health consultations. 2069. Access to telehealth services. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2025—Pub. L. 118–210, title IV, § 404(b), Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2797, added item 2069. 2022—Pub. L. 117–328, div. U, title III, § 305(b)(4), div. V, title IV, § 404(b)(2), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5472, 5513, added items 2014 to 2016 and 2068 and struck out former item 2014 ‘‘Authorization of appropriations’’. 2021—Pub. L. 116–315, title IV, § 4202(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5012, added item 2022A. 2016—Pub. L. 114–315, title VII, §§ 712(a)(2), 713(b), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1587, 1588, added items 2013, 2014, and 2067 and struck out former item 2013 ‘‘Authorization of appropriations’’. 2010—Pub. L. 111–275, title II, § 202(b), Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2874, added item 2021A. 2008—Pub. L. 110–387, title VI, §§ 602(e), 604(b)(2), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4132, 4136, substituted ‘‘Referral and counseling services: veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions’’ for ‘‘Demonstration program of referral and counseling for veterans transitioning from certain institutions who are at risk for homelessness’’ in item 2023 and added item 2044. SUBCHAPTER I—PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS; ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS § 2001. Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the special needs of homeless veterans. (Added Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 905.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 2001 was renumbered section 4101 of this title. Another prior section 2001, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1217, related to compensation for veterans under agreements with States, prior to repeal by sec- tion 1(a) of Pub. L. 87–675. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries AUTHORIZATION FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO USE CERTAIN FUNDS FOR IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY IN ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS VETERANS Pub. L. 118–210, title IV, § 403, Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2796, provided that: ‘‘(a) USE OF FUNDS.—During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2025] and ending on the termination date specified in subsection (d), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide to a covered veteran, as the Secretary determines nec- essary— ‘‘(1) food, shelter, clothing, blankets, and hygiene items required for the safety and survival of the vet- eran; ‘‘(2) transportation required to support the sta- bility and health of the veteran for appointments with service providers, the conduct of housing and employment searches, and the obtainment of food and supplies; and ‘‘(3) tablets, smartphones, disposable phones and other technology, and related service plans required to support the stability and health of the veteran through the maintenance of contact with service pro- viders, prospective landlords, and family members. ‘‘(b) HOMELESS VETERANS ON DEPARTMENT OF VET- ERANS AFFAIRS LAND.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may collaborate, to the extent practicable, with one or more organiza- tions to manage the use of land of the Department of Veterans Affairs for homeless veterans for living and sleeping. ‘‘(2) FORMS OF COLLABORATION.—Collaboration under paragraph (1) may include the provision by ei- ther the Secretary or the head of the organization concerned of food services and security for property, buildings, and other facilities owned or controlled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. ‘‘(c) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annu- ally thereafter until the date specified in subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes, with respect to the period covered by such report— ‘‘(1) a statement, disaggregated by each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, of the amount of funds under this section— ‘‘(A) each such medical center requested from the Secretary; and ‘‘(B) to which the Secretary provided each such medical center; ‘‘(2) data, disaggregated by each such medical cen- ter, relating to how each such medical center used amounts provided by the Secretary under this sec- tion; ‘‘(3) the number of covered veterans to which the Secretary provided assistance under this section; ‘‘(4) the total amount of assistance the Secretary provided to covered veterans pursuant to subsection (a)(3) for communications equipment, broken down by the type of equipment provided; ‘‘(5) the total amount of assistance the Secretary provided covered veterans pursuant to subsection (a)(2) for ridesharing; ‘‘(6) the number of covered veterans who received such assistance; and ‘‘(7) a description, for each rideshare used by a cov- ered veteran with such assistance, of the reasons such covered veteran used such rideshare. ‘‘(8) the number of covered veterans who lived or slept on Department land; ‘‘(9) the amount of funds used to make available De- partment land for covered veterans to live and sleep; ‘‘(10) the number of Department employees whose primary responsibilities involved providing services for covered veterans living or sleeping on Department land; ‘‘(11) the average length of time a covered veteran lived or slept on Department land, and ‘‘(12) the period of time the Secretary expects De- partment land will be made available for covered vet- erans to live and sleep. ‘‘(d) TERMINATION DATE.—The termination date speci- fied in this subsection is September 30, 2027. ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the term ‘covered veteran’ means— Page 560 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 2002 ‘‘(1) a homeless veteran, as such term is defined in section 2002 of title 38, United States Code; and ‘‘(2) a veteran participating in the program carried out under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Hous- ing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)).’’ ANNUAL REPORTS Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XCI, § 9103(c), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4781, provided that: ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the homelessness services provided under programs of the Department of Vet- erans Affairs, including services under HUD–VASH pro- gram under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Hous- ing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)). ‘‘(2) INCLUDED INFORMATION.—Each such annual report shall include, with respect to the year preceding the submittal of the report, a statement of the number of eligible individuals who were furnished such homeless- ness services and the number of individuals furnished such services under each such program, disaggregated by the number of men who received such services and the number of women who received such services, and such other information as the Secretary considers ap- propriate.’’ NATIONAL GOAL TO END HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS Pub. L. 109–461, title VII, § 701, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3439, provided that: ‘‘(a) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms the na- tional goal to end chronic homelessness among vet- erans within a decade of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–95; 115 Stat. 903) [Dec. 21, 2001]. ‘‘(b) REAFFIRMATION OF ENCOURAGEMENT OF COOPERA- TIVE EFFORTS.—Congress reaffirms its encouragement, as specified in the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–95; 115 Stat. 903), that all departments and agencies of the Federal, State, and local governments, quasi-governmental or- ganizations, private and public sector entities, includ- ing community-based organizations, faith-based orga- nizations, and individuals, work cooperatively to end chronic homelessness among veterans.’’ Pub. L. 107–95, § 3, Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 903, provided that: ‘‘(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 [Dec. 21, 2001]. ‘‘(b) COOPERATIVE EFFORTS ENCOURAGED.—Congress hereby encourages all departments and agencies of Fed- eral, State, and local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, private and public sector entities, in- cluding community-based organizations, faith-based or- ganizations, and individuals to work cooperatively to end chronic homelessness among veterans within a dec- ade.’’ SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES Pub. L. 107–95, § 4, Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 904, provided that: ‘‘It is the sense of the Congress that— ‘‘(1) homelessness is a significant problem in the veterans community and veterans are disproportion- ately represented among homeless men; ‘‘(2) while many effective programs assist homeless veterans to again become productive and self-suffi- cient members of society, current resources provided to such programs and other activities that assist homeless veterans are inadequate to provide all need- ed essential services, assistance, and support to homeless veterans; ‘‘(3) the most effective programs for the assistance of homeless veterans should be identified and ex- panded; ‘‘(4) federally funded programs for homeless vet- erans should be held accountable for achieving clear- ly defined results; ‘‘(5) Federal efforts to assist homeless veterans should include prevention of homelessness; and ‘‘(6) Federal agencies, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Labor, should cooperate more fully to address the problem of homelessness among veterans.’’ EVALUATION CENTERS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAMS Pub. L. 107–95, § 6(a), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 919, pro- vided that: ‘‘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 pro- grams of the Department of Veterans Affairs that ad- dress homeless veterans.’’ DEFINITIONS IN PUB. L. 107–95 Pub. L. 107–95, § 2, Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 903, provided that: ‘‘For purposes of this Act [see Short Title of 2001 Amendments note set out under section 101 of this title]: ‘‘(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, as so added.’’ § 2002. Definitions (a) IN GENERAL.—In this chapter: (1) The term ‘‘homeless veteran’’ means a veteran who is homeless (as that term is de- fined in subsection (a) or (b) of section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)). (2) The term ‘‘grant and per diem provider’’ means an entity in receipt of a grant under section 2011 or 2012 of this title. (b) VETERAN DEFINED.—(1) Notwithstanding section 101(2) of this title and except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of sections 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, and 2061 of this title, the term ‘‘veteran’’ means a person who served in the ac- tive military, naval, air, or space service, re- gardless of length of service, and who was dis- charged or released therefrom. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘‘veteran’’ excludes a person who— (A) received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces; or (B) was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial. (Added Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 905; amended Pub. L. 109–444, § 8(a)(3), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3313; Pub. L. 109–461, title X, §§ 1004(a)(3), 1006(b), Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3465, 3468; Pub. L. 114–315, title VII, § 701, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1584; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 926(a)(33), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3830.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 2002 was renumbered section 4102 of this title. Another prior section 2002, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1217, related to compensation for veterans