Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.1702, an Act to amend the public housing law, in relation to veterans' eligibility for public housing.

By Council Members Ulrich, Chin, Constantinides, Eugene, Koo, Rodriguez, Koslowitz, Rosenthal, Vallone and Cohen

Whereas, According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), New York City is home to roughly 200,000 veterans; and

Whereas, As the United States (U.S.) decreases its involvement in overseas conflicts and reduces the size of the military, greater numbers of service members will transition back to civilian life; and

Whereas, According to Crain’s New York Business, 44,000 service members are expected to return home from active duty to the New York City metropolitan area in the subsequent months and years; and

Whereas, One of the biggest challenges facing veterans and returning service members is locating safe and affordable housing for themselves and their families; and

Whereas, However, New York City has one of the lowest residential vacancy rates in the nation and a widespread affordable housing shortage; and

Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is a public housing agency that provides affordable housing options for low and moderate income residents throughout the five boroughs of New York City; and

Whereas, NYCHA has a significant backlog of applicants seeking affordable housing accommodations; and

Whereas, Current New York State law grants priority admission preferences to public housing for those veterans who were honorably discharged and served in the military between February 2, 1961 and May 1, 1975; and

Whereas, Conversely, there are currently no public housing preferences afforded to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, or to service-connected disabled veterans and their families under any existing public housing laws; and

Whereas, In 2013, Senator Anthony Avella introduced S.1702, an Act to amend the public housing law, in relation to veterans' eligibility for public housing; and

Whereas, This Act would expand public housing opportunities and grant priority access to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts provided some portion of the service period was between September 14, 2001 to December 31, 2014; and

Whereas, This legislation would also allow a preference to veterans or families of veterans who have a military service-connected disability as designated by the VA; and

Whereas, New York State has a commitment to honor the service of all veterans regardless of era or conflict, and to honor those veterans who sustained injuries in battle defending their country; and

Whereas, To ease the transition into civilian life, it is more crucial than ever that affordable housing assistance be provided to all veterans and their families; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.1702, an Act to amend the public housing law, in relation to veterans' eligibility for public housing.

RJH/ENB

12/8/14

LS 1417/2014