(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) to establish an affordable housing occupancy preference for homeless and disabled veterans in New Jersey was released Monday by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) to establish an affordable housing occupancy preference for homeless and disabled veterans in New Jersey was released Monday by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

"We have a responsibility to take care of those veterans who face challenges after their military service," said Singleton. "Transitioning to civilian life can be difficult for many veterans. Ensuring that homeless veterans, veterans who are disabled, and the relatives who care for them, have affordable places to live can help these veterans and their families return to normalcy."

The bill (A-2199) would establish a veterans' preference for affordable housing in housing projects that are either operated by a housing authority, financed by a county improvement authority, or are part of a redevelopment project. The bill would task the Commissioner of Community Affairs with adopting rules and regulations to establish the standards for the veteran's preference.

Under the provisions of the bill, preference for these affordable housing units would be given to homeless veterans, disabled veterans, and family members who live with disabled veterans and are their primary caregivers. 

Priority would be first given to homeless veterans, then to disabled veterans, and then to family members who are the primary residential caregivers to disabled veterans residing with them. 

All applicants for the housing preference would be required to meet the income requirements for admission to the housing project, regardless of the priority status granted under the

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