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HB 1109

Homeless veterans initiative shelter program.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Victoria Garcia Wilburn and 2 co-sponsors

The bill creates a state program that requires shelters with 25+ beds to reserve at least one bed for a homeless veteran and offers participating shelters grants and structured sup

Representatives Judy, Garcia Wilburn added as coauthors
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Bill Summary · HB 1109

Summary of HB 1109 (Indiana, 2026) – Homeless Veterans Initiative Shelter Program

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Hoosier Homeless Veteran Initiative to provide homeless veterans with access to temporary shelter and related services.
  • The initiative is to be coordinated and administered by the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) in consultation with the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).

Key provisions and changes

Definitions and scope

  • Defines key terms:
    • Homeless shelter: a facility (public or privately operated) providing temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, or hotels/motels funded by charities or government programs).
    • Homeless veteran: a veteran who has served at least 6 months in the U.S. armed forces or National Guard and is homeless.
    • Participating shelter: a shelter approved to provide a separate temporary living area for a homeless veteran.
    • Participating veteran: a homeless veteran who is not married and agrees to placement in a participating shelter.

Bed reservation requirement

  • Any homeless shelter with at least 25 beds must reserve at least 1 bed (out of every 25 beds) for a homeless veteran.
  • This reservation rule can be superseded by applicable fire codes or public health and safety laws.

Participating shelters and veteran placement

  • Shelters may apply to become participating shelters, per the Department’s process.
  • Participating shelters must provide food, housing, and additional services prescribed by the Department, for a participating veteran.
  • The placement period for a participating veteran is the lesser of:
    • 2 years; or
    • the period necessary for the veteran to complete HUD-VASH housing voucher requirements.

Grants

  • Participating shelters are eligible to receive grants from IDVA (under the same program that funds other veterans’ services).

Criteria for participating veterans

  • A homeless veteran who is not married may request to become a participating veteran, with the Department approving the request as prescribed.
  • Initial placement does not require a negative drug or alcohol test.
  • To maintain placement, participating veterans must meet a set of ongoing requirements (detailed in the bill), including:
    • Regular contact with a county service officer or approved counselor.
    • Timely submission of DD 214.
    • Employment or volunteering at least 10 hours per week.
    • Eligibility to enroll in Medicaid within 6 weeks of initial placement.
    • Participation in rehabilitative services (mental health, addiction counseling, or job training/education) as offered by VA, the Department, or approved programs.
    • Enrollment in HUD-VASH to obtain housing vouchers.
    • Regular drug and alcohol testing.
    • Monthly compliance statements to the shelter.

Ineligibility and consequences

  • Noncompliance with the above requirements can render a veteran ineligible to participate in the initiative for a period of 1 year from the determination of ineligibility.

Reporting and oversight

  • Beginning October 1, 2026, participating shelters must quarterly report on the progress of participating veterans.
  • Beginning January 1, 2027, the Department must compile a quarterly summary of shelter reports and provide it to IDOH.

Effective date

  • July 1, 2026.

Agencies and fiscal considerations

State agencies affected

  • Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA)
  • Indiana Department of Health (IDOH)
  • Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) (indirectly, for Medicaid implications)

Fiscal implications

  • Grants: Participating shelters become eligible for Grants for Veterans’ Service (GVS) from IDVA; this may increase the number of grant recipients but does not create new appropriations in the bill itself. The annual amount is determined by IDVA within existing appropriation authority.
  • Medicaid: The requirement for participating veterans to meet Medicaid enrollment could increase Medicaid enrollments and related costs. FSSA would handle administration; impact is expected to be modest but could affect state share of Medicaid funding (state/federal). Medicaid is jointly funded (state and federal), so changes in enrollment affect state costs proportionally.
  • Reporting requirements: Data collection and reporting are expected to be manageable within IDVA and IDOH resources.

Practical impact

  • Veterans: Non-married homeless veterans who engage with a participating shelter can gain access to structured temporary housing, integrated services, and a path toward HUD-VASH housing vouchers, with ongoing support requirements.
  • Shelters: Facilities with 25+ beds would need to designate at least one veteran bed per 25 beds and may pursue participating status with access to grants. They must comply with service and reporting requirements to maintain eligibility.
  • System: Establishes a formal, state-backed mechanism tying shelter services to HUD-VASH pathways and Medicaid enrollment, with regular data reporting to track progress.

If you’d like, I can provide a quick comparison to HUD-VASH without the Indiana framework or outline a one-page briefing for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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