Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for scheduling today's hearing on benefits legislation pending before our committee. I note that this is the second legislative hearing this month, with one earlier on pending health care legislation. I felt the last hearing was productive, and it is my most sincere hope that we can continue the good work that this Committee has done thus far this session.
Mr. Chairman, we have a full schedule ahead of us today, so I will take this time to briefly explain my legislative priorities. In 1992, I sponsored legislation that established a pilot program that provides Native American veterans with assistance in purchasing, constructing, and improving homes. This program allows our Native American veterans, who have served our nation so honorably, and their families to be a part of the American Dream of home ownership. Through January of this year, 443 loans were created under this program.
The rate of home ownership among Native Americans is about half the rate of the general U.S. population. This issue partially stems from the fact that lenders generally require that loan applicants own the parcel of land on which their homes will be located. This is difficult for many in Indian Country, Alaska, and Hawaii because their homes are on trust lands. Most lenders decline these loan applications because Federal law prohibits a lender from taking possession of Native trust lands in the event of a default. This is why this program is so important, because it makes home ownership on trust lands accessible for Native American veterans. This pilot program has been extended several times. It is considered to be a saver by CBO and will continue to be a saver for the foreseeable future. It is time to make the Native American Veteran Housing Loan program permanent this year.
Last Session, the law that allowed severely disabled members of the Armed Forces to receive specially adapted housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs, while still on active duty, was inadvertently repealed. This was an oversight that occurred when the law authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted housing for veterans whose disability is the result of the loss, or loss of use, of both upper arms above the elbow was modified. My bill would again provide the adapted housing benefit to disabled servicemembers in need of accommodations as they return to their homes.
The Disabled Veterans' Insurance Improvement Act of 2005 would increase the amount of supplemental life insurance available to totally disabled veterans from $20,000 to $40,000. VA's Service-Disabled Veteran's Insurance program was established in 1951 to provide life insurance for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The basic death benefit in 1951 was $10,000 and has not been increased since that time. Since 1992, totally disabled veterans have been eligible for $20,000 in supplemental coverage. Currently, 43 percent of the veterans enrolled in the S-DVI program are considered totally disabled and have been deemed "unable to find substantially gainful employment." About a fourth of these veterans have supplemental insurance coverage. These veterans find it difficult to obtain commercial life insurance policies. It is these veterans that we are trying to help.
I thank the witnesses from VA for coming today to share the Department's views. I would especially like to thank the VSO panel. You work with veterans on a daily basis and know how veterans are feeling and what their needs are. We appreciate your comments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to hearing the testimony.
