SEC. 401. Short Title.
This title may be cited as the “Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2024” or the “HOME Act of 2024”.
Title IV — Homelessness Matters
TITLE IV Homelessness Matters
SEC. 402. Per Diem Payments Provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Services Furnished to Homeless Veterans.
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (2)(B)—
in clause (i)(II)(aa)(BB), by striking “ 115 percent” and inserting “ 115 percent (or, during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2024 and ending on September 30, 2027, 133 percent)”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(iii) For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2027, the Secretary may waive the maximum rate for per diem payments under clause (i)(II)(aa)(BB) or (ii) and, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide such payments at a rate that does not exceed 200 percent of the rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of this title, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under subsection (c) of that section, if the Secretary notifies Congress of such waiver.
“(iv) The Secretary may not, pursuant to clause (iii), waive the maximum rate described in such clause for more than 50 percent of all grant recipients and eligible entities for a fiscal year.”
; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(4) The Secretary may not provide more than 12,000 per diem payments under this section for a fiscal year.”
; and
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“(f) Reports Required.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the HOME Act of 2024, and not less frequently than twice each year thereafter, the Secretary 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 rate for per diem payments under this section that includes, for each Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department, the following data:
“(1) The average rate for such a payment.
“(2) A list of locations where the rate for such a payment is within 10 percent of the maximum rate for such a payment authorized under this section.
“(3) The average length of stay by a veteran participating in a program described in section 2012(a) of this title.”
Regulatory Authority.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the amendments made by subsection (a) through interim guidance in advance of the issuance of regulations for such purpose.
Strategic Plan.—
In general.— Not later than September 30, 2025, 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 strategic plan for the provision of grants and per diem payments for services furnished to homeless veterans under sections 2011 and 2012 of title 38, United States Code.
Elements.— The plan required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
A method for administering grant funding equitably without using the rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary care under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 1741 of title 38, United States Code, as the Secretary may increase from time to time under subsection (c) of that section, that takes into account—
the wide variety of services furnished by grant recipients and eligible entities under sections 2011 and 2012 of title 38, United States Code;
varying costs of living across different geographic locations;
varying availability of affordable housing in different geographic locations;
circumstances of housing insecurity in rural and Tribal communities;
veterans with significant medical care needs; and
the changing dynamic of the veteran population nationwide.
A plan and timeline for implementation of the method included under subparagraph (A).
An estimate of increased costs or savings per year under the plan.
An overview of the different grants that will be available once the plan is implemented.
SEC. 403. Authorization for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Use Certain Funds for Improved Flexibility in Assistance to Homeless Veterans.
Use of Funds.— During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act 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 necessary—
food, shelter, clothing, blankets, and hygiene items required for the safety and survival of the veteran;
transportation required to support the stability 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
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 providers, prospective landlords, and family members.
Homeless Veterans on Department of Veterans Affairs Land.—
In general.— The Secretary may collaborate, to the extent practicable, with one or more organizations to manage the use of land of the Department of Veterans Affairs for homeless veterans for living and sleeping.
Forms of collaboration.— Collaboration under paragraph (1) may include the provision by either 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.
Report Required.— Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 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—
a statement, disaggregated by each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, of the amount of funds under this section—
each such medical center requested from the Secretary; and
to which the Secretary provided each such medical center;
data, disaggregated by each such medical center, relating to how each such medical center used amounts provided by the Secretary under this section;
the number of covered veterans to which the Secretary provided assistance under this section;
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;
the total amount of assistance the Secretary provided covered veterans pursuant to subsection (a)(2) for ridesharing;
the number of covered veterans who received such assistance; and
a description, for each rideshare used by a covered veteran with such assistance, of the reasons such covered veteran used such rideshare.
the number of covered veterans who lived or slept on Department land;
the amount of funds used to make available Department land for covered veterans to live and sleep;
the number of Department employees whose primary responsibilities involved providing services for covered veterans living or sleeping on Department land;
the average length of time a covered veteran lived or slept on Department land, and
the period of time the Secretary expects Department land will be made available for covered veterans to live and sleep.
Termination Date.— The termination date specified in this subsection is September 30, 2027.
Definitions.— In this section, the term “covered veteran” means—
a homeless veteran, as such term is defined in section 2002 of title 38, United States Code; and
a veteran participating in the program carried out under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)).
SEC. 404. Access to Department of Veterans Affairs Telehealth Services.
In General.— Subtitle VII of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
Ҥ 2069. Access to telehealth services
“To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans participating in or receiving services from a program under this chapter have access to telehealth services to which such veterans are eligible under the laws administered by the Secretary, including by ensuring that telehealth capabilities are available to—
“(1) such veterans;
“(2) case managers of the Department of programs for homeless veterans authorized under this chapter; and
“(3) community-based service providers for homeless veterans receiving funds from the Department through grants or contracts.”
Clerical Amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
“2069. Access to telehealth services.”.