S. 1333Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed Senate

Tribal HUD-VASH Act of 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 4:18 PM UTC

The Tribal HUD‑VASH Act of 2017 creates a new rental‑assistance program for homeless or at‑risk Native American veterans. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to set aside at least 5% of its rental‑assistance funding to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and tribal groups to provide housing vouchers and supportive services to eligible Indian veterans living on or near reservations.

Key Provisions

Defines an “eligible Indian veteran” as a Native American veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and lives on or near a reservation or other Indian area.
Requires HUD to allocate a minimum of 5% of its rental‑assistance budget to the new Tribal HUD‑VASH program, administered jointly with VA.
Grants are awarded to “eligible recipients” (tribal or other entities that receive Native American housing assistance grants) to deliver rental assistance and related services.
Grant awards are based on need, administrative capacity, and other criteria the Secretary sets after public notice and consultation with tribes and VA.
The program must be modeled on the existing HUD‑VASH program but may be modified after consultation with tribal organizations and VA to suit tribal needs.
HUD may waive certain requirements to improve program delivery, except for labor‑standards or environmental laws.
Renewal grants can be set aside from the same funding pool, with criteria for continued funding.
The Secretary must conduct a review and report on the program’s implementation within one year of enactment and every five years thereafter, including analysis of housing‑stock limitations.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

10 earlier actions

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

May 25, 2018

View full timeline

SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 12, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Indian Affairs Committee

June 12, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-89.

Indian Affairs Committee

June 13, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Indian Affairs Committee

September 13, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-198.

Indian Affairs Committee

December 20, 2017

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.

December 20, 2017

SenateFloor

An errata sheet on written report number No. 115-198 was printed.

December 20, 2017

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2884-2885; text: CR S2884-2885)

May 23, 2018

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

May 24, 2018

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

May 25, 2018 • 10:02 AM

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

May 25, 2018

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 1333 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Sep 13, 2017

Mr. President, I have two requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of…

Mr. President, I have two requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

committee on commerce, science, and transportation

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to hold a meeting during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

The Committee will hold a Hearing ``Transportation Innovation: Automated Trucks and our Nation's Highways.''

committee on environment and public works

The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 10 a.m., in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Expanding and Accelerating the Deployment and Use of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration.''

committee on homeland security and governmental affairs

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 9:55 a.m. for a business meeting to consider pending committee business.

committee on indian affairs

The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct an Oversight Hearing on ``High Risk Indian Programs: Progress and Efforts in Addressing GAO's Recommendations.''

committee on indian affairs

The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a business meeting to consider the following: H.R. 984, Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017; S. 1285, Oregon Tribal Economic Development Act; S. 1333, Tribal HUD-VASH Act of 2017.

subcommittee on regulatory affairs and federal management

The Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 10 a.m., in order to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Examining OMB's Memorandum on the Federal Workforce, Part II: Expert Views on OMB's Ongoing Government-wide Reorganization.''

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · May 23, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 289, S. 1333. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported…

Bill Text

4 versions available

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Referred in HouseIssued May 25, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 1333

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 25, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Financial Services

AN ACT

To provide for rental assistance for homeless or at-risk Indian veterans.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Tribal HUD–VASH Act of 2017.

Rental assistance for homeless or at-risk Indian veterans

Section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(D)

Indian veterans housing rental assistance program

(i)

Definitions

In this subparagraph:

(I)

Eligible Indian veteran

The term eligible Indian veteran means an Indian veteran who is—

(aa)

homeless or at risk of homelessness; and

(bb)

living—

(AA)

on or near a reservation; or

(BB)

in or near any other Indian area.

(II)

Eligible recipient

The term eligible recipient means a recipient eligible to receive a grant under section 101 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111).

(III)

Indian; Indian area

The terms Indian and Indian area have the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).

(IV)

Indian veteran

The term Indian veteran means an Indian who is a veteran.

(V)

Program

The term Program means the Tribal HUD–VASH program carried out under clause (ii).

(VI)

Tribal organization

The term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(ii)

Program specifications

The Secretary shall use not less than 5 percent of the amounts made available for rental assistance under this paragraph to carry out a rental assistance and supported housing program, to be known as the Tribal HUD–VASH program, in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, by awarding grants for the benefit of eligible Indian veterans.

(iii)

Model

(I)

In general

Except as provided in subclause (II), the Secretary shall model the Program on the rental assistance and supported housing program authorized under subparagraph (A) and applicable appropriations Acts, including administration in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(II)

Exceptions

(aa)

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

After consultation with Indian tribes, eligible recipients, and any other appropriate tribal organizations, the Secretary may make necessary and appropriate modifications to facilitate the use of the Program by eligible recipients to serve eligible Indian veterans.

(bb)

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

After consultation with Indian tribes, eligible recipients, and any other appropriate tribal organizations, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may make necessary and appropriate modifications to facilitate the use of the Program by eligible recipients to serve eligible Indian veterans.

(iv)

Eligible recipients

The Secretary shall make amounts for rental assistance and associated administrative costs under the Program available in the form of grants to eligible recipients.

(v)

Funding criteria

The Secretary shall award grants under the Program based on—

(I)

need;

(II)

administrative capacity; and

(III)

any other funding criteria established by the Secretary in a notice published in the Federal Register after consulting with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(vi)

Administration

Grants awarded under the Program shall be administered in accordance with the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), except that recipients shall—

(I)

submit to the Secretary, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary, reports on the utilization of rental assistance provided under the Program; and

(II)

provide to the Secretary information specified by the Secretary to assess the effectiveness of the Program in serving eligible Indian veterans.

(vii)

Consultation

(I)

Grant recipients; tribal organizations

The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall consult with eligible recipients and any other appropriate tribal organization on the design of the Program to ensure the effective delivery of rental assistance and supportive services to eligible Indian veterans under the Program.

(II)

Indian Health Service

The Director of the Indian Health Service shall provide any assistance requested by the Secretary or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in carrying out the Program.

(viii)

Waiver

(I)

In general

Except as provided in subclause (II), the Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements for any provision of law (including regulations) that the Secretary administers in connection with the use of rental assistance made available under the Program if the Secretary finds that the waiver or alternative requirement is necessary for the effective delivery and administration of rental assistance under the Program to eligible Indian veterans.

(II)

Exception

The Secretary may not waive or specify alternative requirements under subclause (I) for any provision of law (including regulations) relating to labor standards or the environment.

(ix)

Renewal grants

The Secretary may—

(I)

set aside, from amounts made available for tenant-based rental assistance under this subsection and without regard to the amounts used for new grants under clause (ii), such amounts as may be necessary to award renewal grants to eligible recipients that received a grant under the Program in a previous year; and

(II)

specify criteria that an eligible recipient must satisfy to receive a renewal grant under subclause (I), including providing data on how the eligible recipient used the amounts of any grant previously received under the Program.

(x)

Reporting

(I)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Tribal HUD–VASH Act of 2017, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Indian Health Service, shall—

(aa)

conduct a review of the implementation of the Program, including any factors that may have limited its success; and

(bb)

submit a report describing the results of the review under item (aa) to—

(AA)

the Committee on Indian Affairs, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(BB)

the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs of the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(II)

Analysis of housing stock limitation

The Secretary shall include in the initial report submitted under subclause (I) a description of—

(aa)

any regulations governing the use of formula current assisted stock (as defined in section 1000.314 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation)) within the Program;

(bb)

the number of recipients of grants under the Program that have reported the regulations described in item (aa) as a barrier to implementation of the Program; and

(cc)

proposed alternative legislation or regulations developed by the Secretary in consultation with recipients of grants under the Program to allow the use of formula current assisted stock within the Program.

Passed the Senate May 23, 2018.

Julie E. Adams,

Secretary