Hauppauge , NY – April 29, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Seeking to ease the transition for returning veterans who have served honorably in the Middle East, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy announced passage of legislation he drafted which provides a preference for returning veterans in the county’s 72-h affordable housing program.
“Sixty-five years ago, veterans returned to America with the promise of help to build a home, gain an education and find a job,” said Levy. “We owe that same debt of gratitude to our returning veterans today.”
Each year Suffolk transfers properties, acquired through non-payment of taxes, to towns and villages under New York State General Municipal Law 72-h. Many of these properties are then utilized for affordable housing by the towns, working with not-for-profit housing agencies. Suffolk has transferred more than 300 such properties since the programs inception.
The Levy legislation will establish service in Iraq or Afghanistan as a qualification for eligibility in town programs, which municipalities can then enact. The law will also make workforce housing funding available to adapt homes to Universal and Adaptable Design Standards for returning veterans with disabilities.
“This important legislation will enable the brave servicemen and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to take advantage of the County’s affordable housing initiative,” said Legislator Steven Stern, chair of the Veterans committee. “Providing accessible housing will assist in transitioning to civilian life for our returning veterans and enable them to return to their communities to work and raise their families”
Levy also praised the efforts of LI Home Builders Care, the not-for-profit affiliate of the Long Island Builders Institute, who have promoted the idea of building or renovating affordable homes for local veterans, as well as the many veterans’ organizations in Suffolk who are advocating for returning veterans.
Levy has laid out several initiatives to reach out to returning veterans, including a directive that the Office of Veterans Services meet with every returning veteran to assist them with paperwork, claims and to brief them on the wide range of services available.
On Friday of this week, Suffolk will host its annual “Operation Stand Down” to reach out to the unique population of homeless veterans throughout the county to provide them with a one-stop shop for assistance. The county also last year sponsored the first ever Veterans Employment Fair which attracted more than 40 major regional employers and provided important resume and interview workshops.
The county is also constructing a satellite Veterans Affairs clinic within the County Center in Riverhead which will complement the services provided by the VA Medical Center in Northport with easier access for East End residents.
Contact:
Steve Levy, County Executive
Christopher Kent, Chief Deputy
county.executive (at) suffolkcountyny (dot) gov
