Politics & Government
Downey Bill to Help Homeless Veterans Secure Housing Becomes Law
Assemblywoman Joann Downey: "Veterans should never feel they have nowhere to turn."
(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Democrats Raj Mukherji, Pamela Lampitt, Tim Eustace Joseph Lagana, Gordon Johnson and Joann Downey sponsored to help homeless veterans in New Jersey secure housing was signed into law this week.
“With thousands of veterans among New Jersey’s homeless population, this law will set aside vouchers and catalyze the construction of new affordable housing units to ensure that those who served our country in uniform are not abandoned when they need our support,” said Mukherji (D-Hudson), a former Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve who served in military intelligence. “There is no excuse for us not to deploy every tool at our disposal to combat veteran homelessness, and this law is part of a multi-faceted effort to do just that.”
The sponsors noted that New Jersey has among its homeless population an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 veterans, according to the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs.
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The new law (A-2098) will require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish and operate a project-based voucher pilot program under the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program for veterans and their families who are confronting homelessness or are residing in unsafe housing.
The Section 8 Voucher Program assists in making safe and quality housing in the private rental market affordable to low, and very low-income households by reducing housing costs through direct rent subsidy payments to landlords. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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The law requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to annually allocate to the pilot program at least 1.5 percent of the unencumbered amount the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides to the State Department of Community Affairs’ Housing Choice Voucher Program for five years.
“Veterans should never feel they have nowhere to turn when it comes to meeting one of their most fundamental needs,” said Downey (D-Monmouth). “This law will move New Jersey closer to putting a roof over the head of every man and woman who has served this nation.”
