# Plain Language Summary: Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study whether financial and credit counseling helps homeless veterans and veterans at risk of losing their homes. Right now, the VA offers some financial counseling services through its Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, but nobody really knows if this counseling actually makes a difference in veterans' lives. This bill aims to find out by collecting data and surveying veterans, counselors, and program administrators to understand what's working and what isn't.

The study will look at three main questions. First, it will examine what financial and credit counseling services are currently available to homeless veterans and how much these services vary from place to place. Second, it will investigate what's stopping veterans from using these services—things like cost, transportation problems, childcare needs, or simply not knowing the services exist. Third, it will try to measure whether counseling actually helps veterans get jobs, find stable housing, increase their income, or improve their credit scores by comparing veterans who received counseling with those who didn't.

To conduct this research, the VA will survey homeless veterans in areas with high veteran homelessness, talk to counselors and program administrators, and gather data from various government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The VA can hire an outside contractor to help with the study, especially if they need access to credit scores or tax information. Within one year, the VA must give Congress an interim report on progress, and within two and a half years, they must submit a final report with findings and recommendations for how to improve services for homeless veterans.

Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act

Pallone, Frank

Homeless Veterans Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow Act or the Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive study on access to, and use and effects of, financial and credit counseling for homeless veterans and veterans experiencing housing instability.