An Act relative to low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Day

Excludes VA disability benefits from income when calculating eligibility for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts, boosting veterans' access and guiding DHCD rules.

Overview

Bill number: HD 3336

Title: An Act relative to low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans

Introduced: January 17, 2025

Primary sponsor: Representative Michael S. Day (Stoneham)

Session: Massachusetts 194th General Court (2025-2026)

Status: Proposed bill (introduced in the 2025-2026 session; similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 as House No. 1311)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to reduce barriers for disabled veterans seeking publicly assisted housing by excluding VA disability benefits from income calculations used to determine eligibility. The goal is to improve access to low-income housing for veterans whose disability benefits may otherwise count against their eligibility thresholds.

Key provisions

Amendment to Chapter 23B of the General Laws.

New provision (Section 31): For the purposes of calculating an applicant’s income for any publicly assisted housing, the department shall not include a veteran’s disability benefit paid pursuant to 38 U.S.C. section 1101 et seq.

This means VA disability benefits (e.g., compensation, other disability benefits authorized under 38 U.S.C. §1101 et seq.) would be excluded from income calculations used to determine eligibility for public housing programs in Massachusetts.

Scope: Applies to “any publicly assisted housing,” as defined under state law, and the department responsible for income determinations—typically the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Who is affected

Disabled veterans receiving VA disability benefits who apply for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts.

Applicants and households pursuing various forms of publicly subsidized or federally/state-funded housing programs, including public housing and other subsidized housing administered by state or local agencies.

Housing agencies (e.g., DHCD) responsible for income calculations and eligibility determinations.

Potential impact

Increased eligibility: By not counting VA disability benefits as income, some disabled veterans may qualify for housing assistance they would not have qualified for under current income calculations.

Demand considerations: Could increase applications for publicly assisted housing from veterans and possibly affect waitlists and subsidy allocations.

Administrative impact: Requires changes to income calculation procedures and guidance issued by housing agencies to implement the exclusion.

Procedural and timeline notes

The bill adds a new Section 31 to Chapter 23B. It does not specify an effective date; typical enactment would follow passage with an effective date determined by the Legislature.

There is legislative precedent in Massachusetts for this approach; a similar measure was filed in the 2023-2024 session (House No. 1311), indicating ongoing interest in addressing veterans’ housing eligibility.

Summary

HD 3336 proposes a targeted adjustment to income calculations for publicly assisted housing by excluding veterans’ VA disability benefits from income. The intent is to improve access to affordable housing for disabled veterans, with implementation through the DHCD's income determination processes across all publicly assisted housing programs in Massachusetts.

Bill