A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify the exact amount of money that will be given to participating shelters.

Hoosier Homeless Veteran Initiative

This act establishes the Hoosier Homeless Veteran Initiative, which provides homeless veterans with temporary shelter during rehabilitation.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes a program to provide homeless veterans with access to temporary shelter during their rehabilitation.
• Requires each homeless shelter with at least 25 beds to reserve one bed for every 25 beds for homeless veterans.
• Allows shelters or other entities to apply to the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) to become participating shelters.
• Provides grants from the IDVA to participating shelters to support homeless veterans.
• Requires participating shelters to provide food, housing, and services prescribed by the department for a period of up to two years or until the veteran receives a HUD-VASH housing voucher.

Who It Names or Affects

• Homeless veterans in Indiana
• Shelters with at least 25 beds
• The Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA)

Terms To Know

HUD-VASH program

A federal program that helps homeless veterans get housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Participating shelter

A shelter or other place that joins the Hoosier Homeless Veteran Initiative to help homeless veterans.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much money will be given to participating shelters.
• It is unclear when this initiative will start and who exactly can apply to become a participating shelter.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.
Homeless veterans initiative shelter program.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.

Homeless veterans initiative shelter program.

Establishes the Hoosier homeless veteran initiative for the purpose of providing a means for homeless veterans to have access to temporary shelter during the veteran's rehabilitation. Provides that the initiative shall be coordinated and administered by the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) in consultation with the Indiana department of health. Requires each homeless shelter with at least 25 beds to reserve at least one bed out of every 25 beds for a homeless veteran. Provides that a homeless shelter or other entity may apply to the department to become a participating shelter. Provides that a participating shelter shall receive grants from the department. Provides that a participating shelter shall provide food and housing and other services prescribed by the department for a participating veteran for a period consisting of the lesser of: (1) two years; or (2) the period necessary for the veteran to complete the requirements necessary for the participating veteran to receive a housing voucher in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HUD-VASH program. Provides that a homeless veteran who is not married may request to become a participating veteran in a manner prescribed by the department. Provides that the homeless veteran shall not be required to test negative on a drug or alcohol test to obtain initial placement in a participating shelter. Requires that a participating veteran receive services and meet certain requirements to remain eligible for placement in a participating facility.