Bill Overview
Title: Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows taxpayers to contribute tax refund amounts to a Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund established by this bill. The fund shall make expenditures to provide services to homeless veterans through the development and implementation of new and innovative strategies to prevent and end veteran homelessness.
Sponsors: Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]
Target Audience
Population: Homeless veterans and at-risk veterans globally
Estimated Size: 33000
- Homeless veterans are the primary beneficiaries, as the bill aims to provide services specifically for them.
- Taxpayers have an indirect impact, as they may choose to contribute their tax refund to support the fund.
- The billtargets reducing and ending veteran homelessness, so veterans at risk of homelessness might also benefit from preventive measures.
Reasoning
- Homeless veterans are the primary focus as they will experience direct improvement in services and resources due to the policy.
- Taxpayers' decisions to contribute their refunds influence how much funding is available for the services, indirectly impacting the potential effectiveness for veterans.
- Approximately 33,000 homeless veterans could find improved living conditions and stability due to the policy, making them a significant portion of the target population.
- Veterans at risk of homelessness may also experience improvements in indicators such as job stability and access to temporary housing.
- A variety of perspectives is included to cover the diversity among homeless veterans, taxpayers, and those indirectly impacted by the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (San Diego, CA)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this policy can provide more stable housing, it would change my life entirely.
- I've been waiting for new initiatives like this because the current system doesn't catch everyone who needs help.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Part-time retail assistant (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A policy that focuses on innovative support can truly address issues like mine, where mental health is a big factor.
- I am hopeful about more integration between mental health services and housing.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Social worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funds should prioritize preventive measures. Keeping veterans from becoming homeless is as important as helping those already on the streets.
- For those I work with, having a safety net could mean the difference between stability and losing everything.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Construction worker (Dallas, TX)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could offer new rehabilitation programs for people like me who are physically unable to work consistently.
- I hope there will be job training programs included.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Unemployed (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Housing security is key for getting back on my feet. Without a roof over my head, it's impossible to stay healthy and job-market ready.
- The potential medical support is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Since I balance my studies and financial issues, assistance in housing would allow me to focus more on my education and future.
- The preventative focus can benefit those newly transitioning to civilian life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative seems promising, and I plan to contribute through my tax return to help fellows who haven't been as lucky as I have.
- I'm still worried about potential misuse of funds, but hopeful.
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 |
Homemaker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Housing security reduces stress on the whole family, and I'm supportive of any policies that improve veteran well-being.
- We'll contribute to let others have the same comfort we do.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Factory worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm back on my feet now, but veterans should have access to immediate housing to prevent harsh cycles on the streets.
- I hope the policy will address more than temporary fixes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The arts community among veterans offers healing, and I believe this policy can further fund creative therapeutic initiatives.
- Having a stable life allows us to contribute to society and maintain our healing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $80000000)
Year 5: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- Uncertainty in taxpayer voluntary contribution levels makes precise cost estimation difficult.
- The program's success in reducing homelessness will significantly affect long-term savings and benefits.
- Initial administrative and infrastructure costs might be substantial.
- The balance of administration costs versus incoming contributions needs careful management to maintain efficiency.