Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Carson sent a letter urging Secretary Jackson to exempt disabled veterans from the community service requirement in public housing programs. Democratic colleagues on the Financial Services and Veterans Affairs Committees joined Congresswoman Carson in signing the letter which aims to eliminate a burdensome and degrading requirement.

“Veterans have courageously and selflessly served this country,” said Congresswoman Carson. “Requiring low-income disabled veterans to perform community service is an outrage.”

Below is the text of the letter:

October 20, 2006

The Honorable Alphonso Jackson

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs

451 Seventh Street, SW

Washington , DC 20410

Dear Secretary Jackson,

We are writing to respectfully urge you to amend the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) definition of a “person with disabilities” in 24 C.F.R. 5.403, for the purposes of federal public housing programs, to include veterans who receive “improved disability pensions” from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1521.

Section 1521 of title 38, United States Code, authorizes payment of improved pensions to veterans who served during a period of war, meet certain other service requirements and are permanently and totally disabled as defined by 38 U.S.C. 1502. We believe that the VA statutory definition of “permanently and totally disabled,” is consistent with HUD’s regulatory definition of “persons with disabilities.” Individuals receiving social security disability benefits are exempt from the requirement; however, disabled veterans are subject to a superfluous re-evaluation in order to receive the same exemption. We believe the dual certification is an unnecessary burden upon persons who dedicated their time and lives to serve this country.

In 2003, VA Secretary Anthony Principi wrote to HUD Secretary Mel Martinez urging the department to issue a regulation that would exempt disabled veterans from the community service requirement. In addition, the VA General Counsel took the same view and encouraged HUD to include disabled veterans in the exemption. Enclosed is a copy of the response letter from Secretary Martinez to Secretary Principi and the VA General Counsel letter to HUD.

We hope that you act favorably upon our request and work with us to reduce any unfair burden placed upon our disabled veterans.

Signors:

Julia Carson

Click here for PDF of letter