NYS Senate Approves Legislation Co-Sponsored By Addabbo to Provide Service-Disabled Veterans With Preference in State's Affordable Home Ownership Development Program

The full NYS Senate recently approved a bill (S.6525) co-sponsored by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, that would provide disabled veterans with a preference in securing housing being offered under New York’s Affordable Home Ownership Development (AHOD) Program.  This proposal, coupled with another measure sponsored by Addabbo (S.2028) to offer real property tax exemptions to severely disabled veterans, would help to ensure greater affordable housing opportunities for former servicemen and women.

“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 and decent roofs over their heads,” Addabbo said.  “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 explained that the bill he co-sponsors will ensure that veterans with a service-related disability rating of 40 percent or higher will receive preferential consideration when housing projects are moving forward under the AHOD Program.  This initiative provides grants to governmental, not-for-profit and charitable groups to build, acquire/rehabilitate or improve homes for low- and moderate income families. The legislation is now under consideration by the Assembly Housing Committee. 

The other bill (S.2028) chiefly sponsored by Addabbo, which has also passed the full Senate, would create a real property tax exemption program, at local option, for veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability rating as determined by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.  These servicemen and women live with the most severe injuries, and are considered permanently and totally disabled as a result of their courageous military service. This legislation, which would apply to the primary residences of the eligible veterans, 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.”