Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced a bipartisan bill to improve housing access for Native American veterans.
What the Bill Does
Rep. Crane's Tribal Veterans Voucher Flexibility Act works within the Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH), which provides vouchers and rental assistance to Native veterans.
Under current law, Tribes cannot return unused vouchers or request additional ones. This means unused vouchers by one Tribe remain idle while another lacks an adequate amount.
As a result, the Tribal Veterans Voucher Flexibility Act requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a program that allows Tribes to return unused vouchers and request additional ones without affecting future allocations.
What Lawmakers are Saying
"The Tribal HUD-VASH program helps house Tribal veterans in need, but the current system is not as efficient as it should be," Rep. Crane said in his press release, adding, "Some Tribes have leftover vouchers they cannot use while others lack the resources to take care of our veterans. Our legislation aims to resolve this longstanding issue by getting unused vouchers into the hands of Tribes that can put them to use."
The Arizona congressman further emphasized, "This is a sensible approach that makes better use of existing support without expanding the size and scope of the federal government."
He continued, "As the representative for more than half of the Tribes in Arizona, I'm honored to advocate for these heroes by reforming and modernizing this process."
Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS), the bill's cosponsor, stated, "Native veterans hold a special place in my heart. My mom and grandfather both served in the Army, and as a Native person, I know how much our communities value the veterans who have served our country."
"Tribal Nations know best what their communities and veterans need, and respecting Tribal sovereignty means giving them the flexibility and resources to meet those needs," Rep. Davids continued, adding, "I'm grateful to work with Rep. Crane on this bipartisan effort to ensure more Native veterans get the housing they need after returning home."
