SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A recent report found there are about 9,000 people in New Jersey without a permanent residence, and hundreds of them are veterans.
Lawmakers want to ensure homeless veterans have a place to live. A proposed bill would provide grants to nonprofits so they can buy and fix up vacant properties.
State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic) partnered with state Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) on the Housing Assistance for Veterans Act to help convert vacant properties into new homes for vets.
“We think it would be a win-win because we know we have abandoned homes all throughout the state of New Jersey,” he said. “No community is exempt from this. And we also know that we have homeless vets.”
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Singleton said it’s unacceptable to allow someone to go from serving their country to living on the street.
Corrado said this bill is an expansion of a pilot program that is proving to be successful. The pilot program rehabilitates existing homes of vets, while the amended bill would also include the rehabilitation of abandoned properties.
“I don’t think I’m unique,” she added. “I have a special place in my heart for people that served this country.”
The lawmakers did not say how much money would be put toward the grants.
The bill was approved by the state Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. There’s no date set yet for a full vote.
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