Downey Measure to Help Homeless Veterans Secure Housing

(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Joann Downey's legislation to help homeless veterans in New Jersey secure housing received final legislative approval Monday and now heads to the governor.

The bill (A-2098) would 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.

The bill would require 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 bill will move New Jersey closer to putting a roof over the head of every man and woman who has served this nation.”

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.

The bill was approved, 70-0, by the Assembly.