Will ask for Town support of Suffolk County Housing Our Homeless Heroes Act
Hauppauge -- Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson announce that they will introduce a resolution at the August Town Board meeting asking the Suffolk County Legislature to approve the Housing Our Homeless Heroes Act introduced today by County Legis. Steve Stern.
The proposal consists of four separate bills aimed at protecting veterans from housing discrimination, providing additional housing resources, enhancing services and improving outreach efforts to cut red tape and help homeless veterans, their families and those at risk of homelessness get back on their feet. The Act calls for establishing partnerships with agencies and community advocates serving veterans; utilizing county housing assets to provide homes for veterans and their families; extending the county’s housing discrimination law to include veterans; and appointing a veterans service officer in the County social services department.
“Veterans are people who are always there. We have to make sure we are protecting them when they come home. We should not take it for granted that everyone is all right. That’s the basic responsibility we have,” Supervisor Petrone said during the news conference at which Legis. Stern (D-Dix Hills) announced his legislation. “The Town of Huntington has consistently worked with veterans and veterans groups to provide services veterans need and deserve, including two upcoming affordable housing developments in which veterans will receive preferences.”
“Huntington values the contributions its veterans have made to our country and is committed to supporting and implementing measures that assist their transition back to civilian life and help meet their needs,” Councilman Cuthbertson said. “It is the least we can do to thank those who put their lives on the line for us.”
Supervisor Petrone and Councilman Cuthbertson said they wholeheartedly support Legis. Stern’s proposal and will call on their Town Board colleagues to formally ask the County Legislature to enact it.