I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2612
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to provide specially adapted housing assistance to veterans with 
permanent and total service-connected disabilities due to the loss, or 
loss of use of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the 
arms at and below the elbows. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 26, 2003
Mr. MICHAUD (for himself and Mr. EVANS) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted 
housing assistance to veterans with permanent and total 
service-connected disabilities due to the loss, or loss of 
use of both upper extremities such as to preclude use 
of the arms at and below the elbows.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Adapted 
Housing Expansion Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE SPECIALLY ADAPTED 
HOUSING TO CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS. 
The text of section 2101 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) ACQUISTION OF HOUSING WITH SPECIAL FEA-
TURES.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may 
assist a disabled veteran described in paragraph (2) in ac-
quiring a suitable housing unit with special fixtures or 
movable facilities made necessary by the nature of the vet-
eran’s disability, and necessary land therefor. 
‘‘(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the 
veteran is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of 
this title for a permanent and total service-connected dis-
ability that meets any of the following criteria: 
‘‘(A) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of 
use, of both lower extremities such as to preclude lo-
comotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, 
or a wheelchair. 
‘‘(B) The disabilty is due to—
‘‘(i) blindness in both eyes, having only 
light perception, plus 
‘‘(ii) loss or loss of use of one lower ex-
tremity. 
‘‘(C) The disability is due to the loss or loss of 
use of one lower extremity together with—
‘‘(i) residuals of organic disease or injury; 
or 
‘‘(ii) the loss or loss of use of one upper 
extremity, 
which so affect the functions of balance or propul-
sion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of 
braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. 
‘‘(D) The disability is due to the loss, or loss 
of use, of both upper extremities such as to preclude 
use of the arms at and below the elbows. 
‘‘(3) The regulations prescribed under subsection (c) 
shall require that assistance under paragraph (1) may be 
provided to a veteran only if the Secretary finds that—
‘‘(A) it is medically feasible for the veteran to 
reside in the proposed housing unit and in the pro-
posed locality; 
‘‘(B) the proposed housing unit bears a proper 
relation to the veteran’s present and anticipated in-
come and expenses; and 
‘‘(C) the nature and condition of the proposed 
housing unit are such as to be suitable to the vet-
eran’s needs for dwelling purposes. 
‘‘(b) ADAPTATIONS TO RESIDENCE OF VETERAN.—
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall assist 
any disabled veteran described in paragraph (2) (other
than a veteran who is eligible for assistance under sub-
section (a))—
‘‘(A) in acquiring such adaptations to such vet-
eran’s residence as are determined by the Secretary 
to be reasonably necessary because of such dis-
ability; or 
‘‘(B) in acquiring a residence already adapted 
with special features determined by the Secretary to 
be reasonably necessary for the veteran because of 
such disability. 
‘‘(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the 
veteran is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of 
this title for a permanent and total service-connected dis-
ability that meets either of the following criteria: 
‘‘(A) The disability is due to blindness in both 
eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less. 
‘‘(B) The disability includes the anatomical loss 
or loss of use of both hands. 
‘‘(3) Assistance under paragraph (1) may be provided 
only to a veteran who the Secretary determines—
‘‘(A) is residing in and reasonably intends to 
continue residing in a residence owned by such vet-
eran or by a member of such veteran’s family; or 
‘‘(B) if the veteran’s residence is to be con-
structed or purchased, will be residing in and rea-