Homeless Veterans Legal Services Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Homeless Veterans Legal Services Act 2. Partnerships 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. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness (a) Partnerships authorized Subject to the availability of funds for such purpose, the Secretary shall enter into partnerships with public or private entities to fund a portion of the general legal services specified in subsection (c) that are provided by such entities to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. (b) Locations The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, partnerships under this section are made with entities equitably distributed across the geographic regions of the United States, including rural communities and tribal lands. (c) Legal services Legal services specified in this subsection include legal services provided by public or private entities that address the needs of homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness as follows: (1) Legal services related to housing, including eviction defense, representation in landlord-tenant cases, and representation in foreclosure cases. (2) Legal services related to family law, including assistance in court proceedings for child support, divorce, estate planning, and family reconciliation. (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. (5) Such other legal services as the Secretary determines appropriate. (d) Consultation In developing and carrying out partnerships under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable— (1) consult with veterans service organizations and other appropriate organizations; and (2) coordinate appropriate outreach relationships with such organizations. (e) Reports The Secretary may require entities that have entered into partnerships under this section to submit to the Secretary periodic reports on legal services provided to homeless veterans and veterans who are at risk of homelessness pursuant to such partnerships. . (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. Partnerships with public and private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness. .

Summary: Homeless Veterans Legal Services Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into partnerships with public or private entities to fund a portion of the legal services such entities provide to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness related to housing, family law, income support, and criminal defense.