Congressional Bill H.R. 224, H.R. 1823, H.R. 4446 Signed into Law

1/20/2026

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Date of Action: Signed into law on January 20, 2026.
H.R. 224 – Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act: Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to exclude service-connected disability compensation when determining income eligibility levels.
H.R. 1823 – VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act: Mandates a report addressing funding shortfalls within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 4446 – FAST VETS Act: Establishes specific conditions under which a veteran’s vocational rehabilitation plan must be redeveloped.

The enactment of H.R. 224, the “Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act,” could influence the local housing market and community demographics. By excluding service-connected disability compensation from income calculations, more veterans may qualify for affordable housing, leading to a potential increase in demand for housing support services.
H.R. 1823, the “VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act,” mandates reporting on budget shortfalls. This could lead to increased scrutiny and adjustments in federal funding allocations, potentially affecting programs associated with veterans’ support and welfare.
The “FAST VETS Act” (H.R. 4446) focuses on redeveloping vocational rehabilitation plans for veterans. This may create opportunities for educational institutions, including Vanderbilt, to offer training and development programs tailored to veterans, enhancing their employment prospects.
Vanderbilt University should consider the potential impact on its Veterans Affairs programs, including partnerships, research opportunities, and student services, to align with the new legislative changes.

The Vanderbilt Office of Student Affairs may need to enhance its support for veteran students, addressing their unique housing and educational needs in light of the new laws.
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development might explore new curriculum or training programs tailored to veterans, particularly in vocational rehabilitation and skills training.
The Vanderbilt Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions could foster research initiatives focused on veterans’ policies and their socioeconomic impacts.
Collaborations with the Veterans Affairs Office may be strengthened to ensure compliance and maximize opportunities from the newly signed bills.

There could be increased opportunities for federal funding and grants aimed at supporting veterans, which might benefit Vanderbilt’s research and program development initiatives.
Adjustments in federal funding allocations, particularly related to veterans’ programs, could impact financial resources available for university initiatives targeting this demographic.
The university might need to reevaluate its financial aid and housing assistance policies for veteran students to align with the new legislative changes.
Potential partnerships with federal agencies for veteran-focused training and support programs could provide new revenue streams and enhance Vanderbilt’s public service profile.

Relevance Score: 3 (The legislation poses moderate risks and opportunities, particularly in compliance and veterans’ program transformations.)

The Vanderbilt Government and Community Relations Office should track changes in income eligibility criteria for housing support due to the “Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act.” Understanding these shifts can help the university tailor its community outreach and housing services for veterans.
Vanderbilt’s Veterans Resource Center should engage with the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand the implications of the “VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act.” This engagement could provide insights into potential budget changes impacting veteran students, enabling the university to adjust its support services accordingly.
Vanderbilt’s Career Center should explore partnerships under the “FAST VETS Act” to provide customized vocational rehabilitation and skills training programs for veterans. This can enhance employment outcomes for veteran students and strengthen the university’s role in veteran support.

The focus on veteran housing and income classification presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to conduct research on the impacts of these legislative changes on veteran welfare and community integration.
By aligning with the “FAST VETS Act,” Vanderbilt University can develop new training and transition programs for veterans, possibly attracting federal funding and enhancing its reputation as a veteran-friendly institution.
The university can convene workshops or seminars through the Office of Federal Relations to discuss the implications of these laws, positioning Vanderbilt as a thought leader in veteran affairs and policy development.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to enhance support for veteran students in light of new legislation.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.6

N/A – The text only provides the signing date (January 20, 2026) with no additional deadlines or timelines for the directives to be implemented.

Relevance Score: 1

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA is affected by H.R. 1823 and H.R. 4446, which require accountability for budget shortfalls and revisions to veterans’ vocational rehabilitation plans.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD is indirectly impacted by H.R. 224, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, which amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to modify income eligibility criteria for veterans.

Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are affected by the directive.)

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – Responsible for updating eligibility criteria under the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act as it amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Tasked with addressing the reporting requirements of the VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act and with implementing the redeveloped vocational rehabilitation plans mandated by the FAST VETS Act.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact Cabinet-level officials responsible for major national veterans’ programs and housing policy adjustments.)