Description:
S. 612 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop a system for effectively sharing and reporting data between the information management systems for each department’s homelessness program. Based on costs for similar information technology requirements, CBO estimates that developing the collaborative system would cost $1 million over the 2022-2026 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The bill would also require VA to provide information on ways to coordinate assistance to homeless veterans to its medical and homelessness assistance staff. That information would also describe ways to collaborate with HUD and community organizations. Under its Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program, VA integrates the homeless services and focuses on outreach in community partnerships. Based on information from the department, the program routinely communicates to its staff information on best approaches in coordination efforts and improving program outcomes. Thus, CBO expects that VA’s current practices would satisfy the bill’s requirements for sharing information to its medical staff and homelessness service providers. Section 5 of the bill also would require VA to provide training and technical assistance to community organizations that help homeless veterans. Through the HCHV program, VA medical centers provide technical assistance to local organizations that coordinate housing and services for homeless families and individuals. CBO expects that costs for additional training assistance provided through that would be minimal.
