Expressing support for the designation of the day of June 19, 2023, to commemorate and celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program.

Whereas, in 1948, in seeking a solution to integrate disabled returning members of the Armed Forces into civilian life, the 80th Congress sought to accommodate the many veterans who served and paid a dear price for their service. The 80th Congress worked to ensure that they were honored and given the just treatment and respect they desired; Whereas, on June 19, 1948, to help veterans disabled from war in their housing needs, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans Program ( Public Law 80–702 Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program Whereas such Act was the culmination of the tireless work and advocacy of Veteran Service Organizations and Members of Congress; Whereas such Act made available grants to those fit the eligibility of disabled service veteran to assist them in constructing, purchasing, or remodeling homes to fit their needs to ensure that disabled Veterans and Service members enjoy barrier-free living; Whereas such Act has enhanced veterans’ independence at home and their quality of life with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs having provided approximately 49,500 grants totaling $1.945 billion since the program’s inception in 1948; Whereas such Act expressed the duty, responsibility, and desire of a grateful United States to see to it that those who served on active duty in the Armed Forces and paid a heavy price for our freedom are assisted with every opportunity to live with dignity and the respect their service has earned them; Whereas Congress enacted subsequent Acts to provide enhanced assistance to new generations of disabled veterans, including the Veterans Housing Grants for Disabled ( Public Law 86–239 Public Law 92–95 Public Law 93–569 Public Law 94–581 Public Law 96–385 Public Law 98–543 Public Law 99–576 Public Law 102–405 Public Law 105–178 Public Law 108–183 Public Law 109–233 Public Law 112–154 Public Law 116–154 Whereas, since the signing of such Act, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ expansion and increase of benefits now cover more disabled veterans than ever before; Whereas such expansions increased the section 2101(a) grant from $10,000 in 1948 to over $100,000 today, the increase of the list of covered disabilities from covering total service-connected disability causing paralysis in the legs or lower body only towards a broader range of mobility impairments resulting from permanent and total service-connected disabilities, and the ability for veterans or servicemembers may use the SAH and SHA grants up to three times, if total funding does not exceed grant limits; Whereas such expansions to the Act improved the ability for disabled veteran homeowners to modify their home through the increasement of the section 2101(a) grant from $10,000 in 1948 to over $100,000 today; Whereas such expansions to the Act expanded the eligibility to cover more disabled veterans than ever before through the increase of the list of covered disabilities from covering total service-connected disability causing paralysis in the legs or lower body only towards a broader range of mobility impairments resulting from permanent and total service-connected disabilities; Whereas such expansions to the Act ensured that veterans are ensured constant support through the ability for veterans or servicemembers to use the SAH and SHA grants up to 6 times if total funding does not exceed grant limits; Whereas this Act and its expansions have helped countless veterans achieve their homeownership aspirations by accommodating to their disabilities and fulfilled our desire to honor these disabled veterans as they endured a steep cost for this county; Whereas, June 19, 2023, is the 75th Anniversary of the Act being signed into law by President Harry S. Truman; and Whereas the day of June 19, 2023, is an appropriate day to designate as the 75th Anniversary of the Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the achievements of the 80th Congress with the Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans Program ( Public Law 80–702 (2) honors those veterans benefitting from the Specially Adapted Housing program on this Anniversary for the sacrifice they made for our country, our continued promise to honor their legacy, and our commitment to maintaining this promise for future generation to come; (3) affirms the responsibility of Congress to be faithful stewards of the Specially Adapted Housing program provided under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that such assistance endures as an honorable investment of public dollars; and (4) encourages all Americans to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans Program ( Public Law 80–702

Summary: This resolution encourages the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Specially Adapted Housing Program, which assists veterans with certain disabilities in constructing, buying, or modifying a home.