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Committee backs codification of Bringing Veterans Home but providers warn funding is needed
Summary
S1838, to codify the Bringing Veterans Home initiative, was released after providers presented performance data showing more veterans housed than entering homelessness; witnesses urged the legislature to include dedicated funding to sustain outcomes.
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee released S1838, a bill to codify the Bringing Veterans Home (BVH) initiative, after providers and veterans organizations described the program's performance and urged guaranteed funding.
Richard Uniak, president of Bridges Outreach, told the committee BVH has "demonstrated that veteran homelessness can be resolved, not managed," citing program results: 2,173 veterans housed since launch, 1,742 permanently housed and 386 using BVH vouchers. Uniak cautioned that codifying the system without dedicated appropriations risks "freezing a high performing system in place without the resources needed to sustain results."
Testimony included personal accounts from program clients. Margaret Coke, representing Garden State Home, said simply, "Garden State Home saved my life." Joe Brooks of Veterans Multi Service Center supplied county-level housing tallies and told the committee BVH has been "transformational," adding that veterans who are unhoused face a higher suicide risk.
American Legion representatives asked that codification include project-based voucher set-asides for 100% veteran-occupied developments on American Legion properties to unlock construction financing. The committee approved release by roll call.
