The bill codifies the Bringing Veterans Home Initiative, which aims to provide safe and stable housing for every unhoused or homeless veteran in New Jersey. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish and administer the initiative. Key responsibilities include creating six regional hubs to improve housing outcomes for veterans, utilizing state data to identify needs, and developing a standardized referral form for assistance. The initiative also involves classifying eligible veterans for various forms of assistance and facilitating access to benefits through existing programs.
Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations to implement its provisions and to publish the standardized referral form on their websites. The initiative was originally announced on Veterans Day 2024 and aims to address veteran homelessness effectively. The bill is set to take effect six months after its enactment.