Bill Overview
Title: Restore Veterans Dignity Act of 2022
Description: This bill permanently authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use specified funding to provide assistance to homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Additionally, the VA may collaborate with one or more organizations to manage the use of VA land for homeless veterans for living and sleeping. (Under current law, similar authorities have been temporarily provided to the VA for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.)
Sponsors: Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]
Target Audience
Population: Homeless veterans
Estimated Size: 37000
- The bill is targeted at homeless veterans in the United States.
- There are an estimated 37,000 homeless veterans in the U.S. as of recent reports.
- The bill also targets veterans who may become homeless or are at risk of homelessness, participating in the HUD-VASH program.
- The VA operates primarily within the U.S., so the primary impacted population is domestic.
Reasoning
- The target population mainly consists of homeless veterans, as well as those who may be at risk of homelessness and participate in the HUD-VASH program.
- The policy is designed to provide permanent funding for assisting these veterans, improving their housing situation and overall wellbeing.
- Since the financial allocation limits the immediate reach, not all veterans might experience the effect concurrently, especially in year one, where funds are limited relative to the scope of total estimated need.
- In the broader perspective, as assistance becomes consistent over years, more veterans may gradually see positive impacts in their wellbeing and housing stability.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed veteran (Denver, CO)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide me with stable housing.
- Access to VA land for living would make me feel more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Part-time job (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The continued support can help me avoid homelessness.
- It's reassuring that there's permanent backing for programs like HUD-VASH.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Disabled veteran (Boston, MA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The funding could improve my chances of getting permanent housing.
- Using VA land more effectively for housing can be crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Retired veteran (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I am stable now, knowing there's support helps motivate my volunteering.
- Long-term funding alleviates fear of future homelessness for others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Full-time job (Houston, TX)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I benefited from similar assistance; continued funding is crucial.
- Homelessness was a real fear, and knowing more veterans will be helped is great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Veteran advocate (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Permanent funding would greatly enhance our efforts.
- Partnerships with the VA for using land would be a great asset.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Freelancer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Help in securing stable housing would improve my mental health.
- Knowing the policy supports veterans like me makes a difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Unemployed (Portland, OR)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy gives me hope to get back on my feet.
- Access to housing through VA land can change my life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy ensures younger veterans won't face what my generation did.
- Stable funding lets us plan long-term support for those at risk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Part-time work (New York, NY)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this policy will provide more housing options for veterans.
- It's vital for ongoing support to be available permanently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 2: $355000000 (Low: $305000000, High: $405000000)
Year 3: $360000000 (Low: $310000000, High: $410000000)
Year 5: $375000000 (Low: $325000000, High: $425000000)
Year 10: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $550000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy provides permanent authorization, indicating indefinite or long-lasting cost commitments.
- Ongoing efficiency in implementation and collaboration with external organizations can alter the cost and impacts.
- The scalable nature of services could see varying costs as more veterans or expansions in services are accounted for.