With the recent recognition of Veterans Day, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of the expanded Municipal Employee Housing Preference, which will now include military veterans.
The Municipal Employee Housing Preference is a program that gives eligible city employees and now veterans affordable housing lotteries listed on the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development website.
As of this past Saturday, all new affordable housing lotteries listed on the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Housing Connect website will include a 10 percent preference, up from 5 percent, for eligible city employees and military veterans, making it easier for them to acquire housing.
“Service to city and country deserves the dignity of a stable home,” said New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon. “By expanding the preference to 10 percent of new Housing Connect opportunities for municipal workers and military veterans, we’re turning gratitude into access — so the people who keep New York running, and those who wore the uniform, can find an affordable home in the city they serve.”
With there being approximately 210,000 veterans residing in New York City, Adams said they should be able to live in the city they love.
“With this new policy, we’ll make it easier for city employees and veterans to live, raise a family, and retire in the five boroughs,” he said.
In order to qualify for the program, applicants who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves must submit a DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or a Statement of Service.