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On Veterans Day, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of new rounds of grant funding for several important programs assisting veterans and their families throughout the state. The programs aim to provide funds for capital improvements in the facilities of veterans service organizations, cash assistance for eligible veterans facing housing emergencies, and funding for law school programs focused on addressing veterans’ unmet legal needs.
The Governor signed a legislative package in appreciation of Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of New York’s veterans. The legislation enacted includes the renaming of bridges and highways across the state in honor of fallen heroes as well as measures enhancing access to veterans benefits. Governor Hochul also signed an executive order to enhance the quality of supportive housing services available to New York’s veterans and military families by establishing training requirements for supportive housing providers that receive State funds to provide supportive housing to veterans.
The Veterans Emergency Housing Assistance Fund, administered by the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, is designed to assist New York State veterans who are experiencing homelessness or housing crises placing them at risk of homelessness. Eligible veterans can apply to receive up to $2,000 in cash assistance to cover emergency housing expenses. Following a successful pilot period earlier this year that saw the distribution of more than $175,000 to veterans across the state, Governor Hochul announced the re-opening of the fund and the availability of an additional $400,000 in cash assistance to eligible veterans. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Governor also announced an upcoming third round of the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Justice for Heroes grant program, which funds law schools offering innovative collaborative programs to assist veterans, service members, and their family members with previously unmet legal needs. Justice for Heroes awardees receive up to $50,000 per year to establish or enhance experiential legal education initiatives that help bridge the justice gap confronting many individuals who have served or are serving in the United States Uniformed Services. These legal services are provided free of charge to veterans, service members and their families and include assistance with a variety of legal concerns including discharge upgrade cases, appellate cases to the Federal Circuit and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, veterans who are confronting imminent foreclosure or eviction, and other fundamental civil legal needs.