Meeting with Senator Mark R. Warner’s Staff

WASHINGTON DC (February 23, 2010) The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing presented an overview of the functions, mission and activities of the Committee to members of the Senator’s Staff – Michelle Maiwurm, Senior Legislative Correspondent and Manica Noziglia, Legislative Correspondent and issues that affect veterans each and every day.  Senator Warner was called into session that morning and was unable to attend our visit.

The Committee’s visit to Senator Mark R. Warner’s Office on February 23, 2010

The following members of the Committee were in attendance at the meeting:

John S. Lewandowski, President/CEO

Dr. Richard (Dick) Seely Sr., Executive Director

Daphne R. Mize, Director Veterans Outreach

Daniel S. Kern, Financial Management Advisor

The issue that was discussed with Committee staff that should be brought to Senator Warner’s attention was:  there are more and more veterans in need of assistance, in areas of fair employment, housing and health care.

Specifically, among other items discussed were as following:

Creation of a Revolving Construction Fund

Changes needed to be made by Congress to HUD policies and grant programs

Homeless Veterans and Housing proposals

Invitation for the Senator to attend meet & greet meetings with our veterans

Special Adapted Housing (SAH) versus Non-SAH statistics

HUD-VASH Vouchers and their need

Agenda Item #1:         Daphne Mize presented an overview of the present circumstances of the veterans in need of employment, training and housing particularly homeless veterans living in the Northern Shenandoah Valley region.  Ms. Mize was advised that the Senator’s office would work with her and the Virginia Employment Commission to assist in obtaining answers that she desired for the HUD-VASH Vouchers for the Shenandoah Valley Region.

Agenda Item #2:         John Lewandowski explained why HUD policies with regard to the HOME program are biased against disabled veterans in two respects: Not allowing disabled veterans to reduce their income because of medical, caretaker and other unique expenses they have makes it virtually impossible for veterans like John Spencer to qualify for HUD down payment and closing cost grants.  More specifically, when a disabled veteran receives VA compensation for their service connected injury/illness and receive Social Security – the total of the revenue streams amount to more than the permitted income level under the HUD grant guidelines. In the end, disabled veterans are prevented from receiving down payment and closing costs grants causing very worthy disabled veteran housing projects never to be completed.  John also explain by the HUD “reconstruction” provision in no way helps a disabled veteran build a new home on a site different than where his or her presently lives.

Daniel S. Kern, Financial Management Advisor, DVCH made the following comments to the staff members, and I quote:  “We need to stress the importance of the HUD Median income waiver when it pertains to down payment grants that disabled veterans could be eligible for. Although the VA home loan does allow a veteran to finance 100% of the sales price of a home, it does not help the veteran if home prices in his/her particular area are higher than what they can afford. The ability to get a waiver on the median income restrictions (assuming that the veteran is slightly over the income limits) and tap into a HUD grant would make a huge difference for our veterans who are seeking a better quality of life”.

Agenda Item #3: Our President asked and the Senator’s staff indicated that Mark Warner will make himself available to come to the Northern Shenandoah Region for “Meet and Greets” with our veterans so he can find out firsthand what the veterans specific situations are, and to discuss ways he can help.

Agenda Item #4: The Committee ask the Senator’s help in obtaining earmark funding to assist with constructing transitional and permanent housing for homeless veterans.  With this funding there would be no need to seek down payment and closing cost assistance.  The Committee asked help in obtaining a second earmark so a “Revolving Construction Fund” for disabled veterans could be created.

SUMMATION OF OUR VISIT

The Senator’s staff listened to our concerns and requests and agreed/committed to the following:

• That Senator Warner’s scheduler will provide us with the times the Senator Warner would be able to appear in our region so we could setup a “Meet and Greet” for him with our veterans.

• The Committee can and should submit an earmark to Senator Warner before the deadline of March 2^nd.

• That Senator Warner office would address our concerns with Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) concerning the unfairness of the present down payment and closing cost provisions of the law.

• The Senator’s staff agreed to would provide a contact in HUD to Ms. Mize to answer any and all question on how we can get more vouchers in the Northern Shenandoah Region.

• The staff members also stated that Ms. Mize’s report on the present circumstances on veteran employment and homeless situation in the Northern Shenandoah region would be reviewed and they would make recommendations on their findings to our Committee.

• The Senator’s staff asks us the Committee to provide the Senator a comparison of the percentage of 100% disabled veterans who qualify for grants under the Specially Adapted Housing grant program and those who do not but are 100% by the Veterans Administration Rating Board.

• They also stated that they would like us to contact them at any time when there are issues we feel Senator can assist with.
  • The Senator’s staff also asked that we enlighten them on the current rate of our veterans’ funding and what we recommend the COLA increase to be in the coming years.

The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing’s visit with the Senator’s Warner’s Staff was extremely productive and rewarding.  I feel his staff now has a greater understanding of the work of our Committee and the needs we have which the Senator and his staff can help us with.