Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act of 2017

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with public and private entities to provide pro bono legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act of 2017 2. Agreements with public and private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness (a) In general Chapter 20 section 2022 2022A. Agreements with public and private entities to provide pro bono legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness (a) Agreements authorized Subject to the availability of funds for that purpose, the Secretary may enter into an agreement with a public or private entity, through the award of a grant or the use of a contract, to fund a portion of legal services described in subsection (b). (b) Pro bono legal services Legal services described in this subsection are provided pro bono to a homeless veteran or veteran at risk of homelessness, including the following: (1) Legal services related to housing, including eviction defense and representation in landlord-tenant cases. (2) Legal services related to family law, including assistance in court proceedings for child support, divorce, and estate planning. (3) Legal services related to income support, including assistance in obtaining public benefits. (4) Legal services related to criminal defense, including defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness, such as outstanding warrants, fines, and driver’s license revocation, to reduce recidivism, and facilitate the overcoming of reentry obstacles in employment or housing. (c) Consultation In developing and carrying out agreements under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult with appropriate public and private entities— (1) for assistance in identifying and contacting organizations that offer legal services described in subsection (b); and (2) to coordinate appropriate outreach relationships with such organizations. (d) Locations (1) The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, agreements under this section are made with entities equitably distributed across the geographic regions of the United States, including rural communities, tribal lands of the United States, Native Americans, and tribal organizations. (2) In this subsection, the terms Native American tribal organization (e) Reports The Secretary may require an entity that enters into an agreement under this section to submit to the Secretary periodic reports on legal services provided pursuant to the agreement. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding after the item relating to section 2022 the following new item: 2022A. Agreements with public and private entities to provide pro bono legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. .

Summary: Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with public or private entities to fund, through the award of a grant or the use of a contract, a portion of the pro bono legal services such entities provide to homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness related to housing, family law, income support, and criminal defense.