May 4, 2009
Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9)
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today favorably released legislation (S-2182) introduced by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt (all R-Ocean/Burl./Atl.) that would require a portion of tenant-based assistance vouchers under the State Rental Assistance Program be reserved for grants to veterans.
“Dedicating a portion of vouchers provided under the State Rental Assistance Program exclusively for veterans would be an effective means of fulfilling the obligation of government to provide housing assistance to those who have served our country in the Armed Forces and are struggling financially,” said Senator Connors. “In sponsoring this legislation, our Delegation felt that utilizing an existing program would allow for the state to provide this form of assistance to our veterans in a more expedited fashion.” Senator Connors currently serves on the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee as well as the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee.
The State Rental Assistance Program was established for low-income individuals or households. Currently, a portion of the grants available under the Program are reserved specifically for veterans who have completed the Veterans Transitional Housing Program known as “Veterans Haven.” This is a vocational and transitional housing program for homeless veterans, which is administered by the State’s Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs.
“After all their sacrifice in defense of our nation, no veteran should ever be unable to have a roof over their head,” remarked Assemblyman Rumpf. “Requiring a portion of the vouchers provided through the state’s Rental Assistance Program be reserved for veterans is even more crucial in these difficult economic times in which many are finding it harder to make ends meet.”
Assemblyman Van Pelt, who serves on the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, went on to add, “Putting aside vouchers for veterans will mean less veterans on a waiting list to receive housing assistance which they should be entitled to in recognition of their service. Additionally, the freedom that vouchers offer in allowing the recipient greater choice in determining their residence, as long as all guidelines are met, makes this a more attractive and appropriate form of assistance. Our Delegation recently held a veterans’ roundtable with various veterans’ groups in our District. We were pleased with the positive feedback on this specific initiative and certainly hope the Legislative Leadership decides to make this a priority of the Legislative agenda.”
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