SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1838

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 5, 2026

      The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1838.

      As reported, this bill codifies Bringing Veterans Home (initiative) in statute. On Veterans’ Day of 2024, Acting Governor Tahesha Way announced the launch of the initiative, to be led by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs.  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 announced 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.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.