Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has gained sweeping support in the New York State Senate for legislation providing service-disabled veterans with property tax exemptions and further housing services.
In representing Senate District 15, and a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, Addabbo continues to promote and introduce legislation geared toward helping veterans.
The approval of the bill, S.6525, co-sponsored by Addabbo, would give veterans a first choice in securing housing with New York’s Affordable Home Ownership Development (AHOD) Program.
With the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs service-related disability rating of 40% or higher, A military veteran would receive preferential consideration when housing projects are proposed under the AHOD Program, according to the legislation.
The special accommodation also provides more access for not-for-profit and charitable organizations to build low to moderate-income homes while being funded by government grants.
Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs shared that there were 35,574 veterans who experienced homelessness in the U.S. recorded on a single night in January 2023.
The proposal for the bill to be signed into law is expected to help provide affordable housing options for former military service members, Addabbo added.
“There is an affordable housing crisis in our state that is a challenge for all residents, but I think we need to do more to ensure that military New Yorkers who were seriously injured in service to our country have greater opportunities to obtain and keep safe decent roofs over their heads,” Addabbo said.
Addabbo’s sponsored legislation, S.2028, coincides with the co-sponsored legislation in offering improved property tax exemptions for disabled veterans found at the 100% disability rating by the VA. The highest ratings from the VA mean veterans live with severe injuries that cause permanent disabilities.
Addabbo says this legislation would lift another burden on the lives of former military personnel.
“They put their lives on the line for us, and I think we have a responsibility to provide them with the best possible quality of life, which certainly includes efforts to guarantee they are never forced to choose between paying for their homes and other life necessities,” Addabbo added.
This is now under review by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
“As the NYS Senate session continues, I am hopeful both these bills will get the full legislative consideration they deserve,” Addabbo said. “Our injured veterans and their families deserve no less.”
