Veterans (Veteran Housing)

Provides a property tax deduction for an individual, or the surviving spouse of an individual, who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

Increases the property tax deduction for a veteran who is totally disabled to an amount equal to 100% of the assessed value of the individual's real property (instead of $14,000). Expires property tax deductions for certain veterans, and, beginning with property taxes imposed for the 2026 assessment date and thereafter, instead provides a property tax liability credit against local property taxes for veterans who previously claimed a deduction. Includes a mechanism to establish an additional maximum property tax liability credit for a veteran who previously claimed a deduction.

Provides that a court shall stay certain eviction actions for defendants who qualify and have applied for housing assistance from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indiana department of veterans' affairs.

Establishes the Hoosier homeless veteran initiative for the purpose of providing a means for homeless veterans to have access to temporary shelter during the veteran's rehabilitation. Provides that the initiative shall be coordinated and administered by the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) in consultation with the Indiana department of health. Requires each homeless shelter with at least 25 beds to reserve at least one bed out of every 25 beds for a homeless veteran. Provides that a homeless shelter or other entity may apply to the department to become a participating shelter. Provides that a participating shelter shall receive grants from the department. Provides that a participating shelter shall provide food and housing and other services prescribed by the department for a participating veteran for a period consisting of the lesser of: (1) two years; or (2) the period necessary for the veteran to complete the requirements necessary for the participating veteran to receive a housing voucher in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HUD-VASH program. Provides that a homeless veteran who is not married may request to become a participating veteran in a manner prescribed by the department. Provides that the homeless veteran shall not be required to test negative on a drug or alcohol test to obtain initial placement in a participating shelter. Requires that a participating veteran receive services and meet certain requirements to remain eligible for placement in a participating facility.

Expands the Indiana fair housing statute to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person's: (1) source of income; (2) military active duty status; or (3) veteran status. Defines "source of income", "active duty", and "veteran" for purposes of the statute.