NYS Senator Eric Adams, Chair of the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, Promotes the Rights of All Veterans to Secure Housing

NYS Senator Eric Adams, Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Chair, marks the signing into law of S6279, his legislation ensuring that all veterans receive credit for their military service when applying for Mitchell Lama housing

NYS Senator Eric Adams states: “The Mitchell Lama housing program was created in 1955 to provide affordable rental and cooperative housing to moderate and middle income working families in New York City. Reasonably priced rents and maintenance make the program a very popular one, and there are often long waiting lists for each development.

“Current law limited veteran preference in admission to Mitchell Lama housing to those who served in the armed forces between the dates of February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, enabling veterans of the Vietnam era and certain disabled veterans to move ahead on the waiting list. My bill modifies Section 31 of the private housing law and incorporates a reference to language in New York Civil Service Law to expand the definition of veteran to include anyone who has served our nation during time of war, thereby including the two Iraq conflicts and the Afghanistan war; It extends to these veterans the same preference Vietnam-era veterans already receive.

“The New York City Council passed a resolution requesting the State to modify the existing statue; I have responded to ensure that all our brave fighting women and men are recognized for their valor.”