SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 171

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 19, 2020

      The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No.171.

      This bill would require the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to award grants to certain southern New Jersey counties to provide veterans with improved access to homeless shelters. Under the bill, Atlantic County, Cape May County, and Cumberland County may submit applications to the Adjutant General proposing locations for homeless veterans shelters and identifying property the county would provide to the State for the development of a shelter.

      New Jersey’s southern counties are in particular need of shelters for homeless veterans. Because of mobility issues, homeless veterans’ access to resources is often limited by geographic location. Various factors may have caused homeless veterans to locate within southern New Jersey counties. However, when conditions, such as extreme cold, require them to seek out temporary shelter, they find themselves isolated from shelters and other facilities that provide resources for veterans. This bill would result in the development of shelters in locations appropriate to meet this need.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.