summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
On Veterans' Day of 2024, Acting Governor Tahesha Way announced the launch of Bringing Veterans Home (initiative), to be led by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill codifies the initiative in statute. The bill establishes statutory language concerning the initiative and requires the DCA to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill. The goal of the initiative is to provide access to safe and stable housing to every unhoused or homeless veteran in the State. Specifically, the bill directs the Office of Homelessness Prevention in the DCA to: (1) establish and maintain six regional hubs to be tasked to accelerate housing outcomes for veterans in the region; (2) utilize State data concerning veteran homelessness to determine areas of need and effective interventions; (3) establish, maintain, and publish a standardized referral form; (4) adopt one or more classifications of veterans eligible for participation in, and receipt of different forms of assistance under, the initiative; (5) assist veterans, to the extent feasible, in accessing appropriate benefits and housing placement programs; (6) maintain the Department of Community Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs Bringing Veterans Home Initiative launched in 2024; and (7) establish and operate any other goals and programming deemed appropriate by the Office of Homelessness Prevention. The bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment.
AI Summary
This bill codifies the Bringing Veterans Home Initiative, a program led by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, with the primary goal of ensuring safe and stable housing for all unhoused or homeless veterans in the state. To achieve this, the bill directs the DCA's Office of Homelessness Prevention to establish six regional hubs to speed up housing placements, use state data to identify areas of greatest need and effective solutions, create and publish a standardized referral form, define categories of veterans eligible for different types of assistance, help veterans access relevant benefits and housing programs, and continue to operate the initiative launched in 2024, while also developing any other necessary programs. The bill also mandates that the DCA promulgate rules and regulations to implement these provisions and will take effect six months after its enactment.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (on 02/05/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1838 |
| Analysis - Statement SCU 2/5/26 | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1838_S1.PDF |
| Analysis - Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1838_T1.PDF |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1838_I1.HTM |
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