A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "VETERAN HOUSING STABILITY AND SECURITY ACT"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 25-15-50 SO AS TO ESTABLISH VETERAN HOUSING PRIORITY ZONES, CREATE A VETERAN LANDLORD RISK MITIGATION FUND, AND STREAMLINE ZONING AND PERMITTING FOR VETERAN-SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  This act may be cited as the "Veteran Housing Stability and Security Act."

 

SECTION 2.  (A) The General Assembly finds:

       (1) South Carolina veterans experience disproportionate rates of homelessness and housing instability, especially in counties with rising rents and limited transitional housing.

       (2) Federal voucher access alone is insufficient when:

           (a) landlords deny voucher holders; and

           (b) counties lack fast-track development pathways.

       (3) Veteran homelessness is preventable, and the State has a moral interest in ensuring that those who defended this nation do not live without secure shelter.

    (B) This act establishes structural mechanisms to:

       (1) prioritize veteran housing development;

       (2) protect landlords who rent to veterans; and

       (3) expand transitional and long-term supportive housing capacity statewide.

 

SECTION 3.  Chapter 15, Title 25 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 25-15-50.  (A)(1) Counties may designate Veteran Housing Priority Zones in census tracts with documented veteran homelessness.

       (2) Local governments must provide for zoning and permitting within forty-five days or less for veteran-supportive housing projects.

    (B) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall administer a statewide landlord guarantee program which reimburses landlords up to three thousand five hundred dollars for damages or unpaid rent associated with veteran tenants using housing vouchers.

    (C) Faith-based and nonprofit organizations may apply for grants to establish veteran transitional housing, prioritizing counties with no existing units.

 

SECTION 4.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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