Bill > S3614

This bill, known as the Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2012 or HAVEN Act, directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a pilot program that awards grants to nonprofit organizations. These organizations must primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals and will use the grants to make essential repairs and modifications to the primary residences of disabled or low-income veterans, ideally at no cost to the veterans themselves. The bill defines key terms like "disabled," "eligible veteran" (meaning a disabled or low-income veteran), "low-income veteran" (whose income is 80% or less of the area median income), and "primary residence" (a veteran's main home, which can include a family member's home). Grants are capped at $1 million per organization annually, and participating organizations must contribute at least 50% of the grant amount in matching funds, which can include in-kind contributions. HUD will oversee how the grant money is used to ensure it effectively addresses the housing needs of eligible veterans.