Diegnan Bill That Helps Veterans, Military Service Members Obtain Housing Advances

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Patrick J. Diegnan that would require landlords to count federal military or veteran housing allowances as income when determining whether a prospective tenant who is a veteran or military service member meets any applicable minimum income qualifications to rent passed the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.

“The SERVE Act will help our brave men and women secure burden-free housing as they seek higher education through the GI bill,” said Senator Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “This simple fix reduces a hardship for our veterans and service members by ensuring a comfortable home in which they and their families can live while those who have honorable served our country earns his or her education.”

Under the SERVE Act, S-2447, a military service member or veteran would have to present documentation issued by the United States department of Veterans Affairs to a landlord or their agent stating they are receiving a federal military or veteran housing allowance.

The bill would take effect immediately.

The SERVE Act passed out of the committee by a vote of 5-0 and now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.