A sweeping new federal housing law that took effect on July 11 includes several important provisions designed to help disabled veterans access affordable, stable and accessible housing.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) is a bipartisan package addressing the nation’s housing crisis through measures intended to increase housing supply, streamline regulations, protect affordable housing and provide communities with additional resources to address their specific housing needs.

Among the law’s most significant provisions for veterans is the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, included in Section 602. The provision permanently excludes veterans disability compensation from annual income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The income issue has been particularly consequential for Native American veterans, who often navigate a patchwork of tribal and federal housing programs with differing eligibility rules.

For disabled veterans living on fixed incomes, the change could make a significant difference. Previously, counting disability compensation as income could affect a veteran’s eligibility for housing assistance. Under the new law, VA disability compensation and pension benefits will no longer be counted when determining whether a veteran meets HUD-VASH income-eligibility requirements, helping ensure those who need assistance can continue to access vital housing resources.

“Veterans should never have to choose between the disability compensation they earned and the housing assistance they need,” said DAV National Legislative Director Jon Retzer. “This legislation recognizes that disability compensation is an earned benefit, not a reason to deny a veteran access to a safe and stable home. DAV is proud to support these commonsense reforms.”

The legislation also includes provisions to help veterans make more informed decisions when purchasing a home. Sections 601 and 603 incorporate the VA Home Loan Awareness Act and the Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act. These provisions require standard loan application forms and Federal Housing Administration mortgage disclosures to provide clear information about VA home loan benefits. They also require side-by-side comparisons of loan options, giving veterans more information to determine which financing option best meets their needs and offers the greatest value.

The law’s broader housing reforms could also benefit veterans and other homeowners with disabilities. The Whole-Home Repairs Act, included in Section 202, establishes a five-year pilot program providing grants and forgivable loans to homeowners and eligible landlords for essential health, safety and accessibility improvements. Improvements may include ramps, widened doorways and modified bathrooms, helping make homes safer and more accessible for people with disabilities.

Together, these provisions represent meaningful progress toward addressing the housing challenges facing disabled veterans. By protecting earned disability benefits, improving access to information about VA home loans and supporting accessibility modifications, the law provides veterans with additional tools to find and maintain housing that meets their needs.

DAV will continue monitoring implementation of these reforms and advocating for policies that ensure veterans and their families have access to secure, affordable and accessible homes.