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A 5306

Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ellen Park and 1 co-sponsor

Extends New Jersey’s affordable-housing preference to South Korean Vietnam-era veterans, their surviving spouses, and primary caregivers.

Reported and Referred to Assembly Housing Committee
#affordhous #veterans
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5306

Summary: Assembly Bill A-5306 – Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans

A concise overview of the bill, its key provisions, and potential impact.

Purpose and scope

  • Bill Number: A-5306
  • Title: Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans
  • Intent: Extend New Jersey’s existing veterans’ affordable housing preference to South Korean veterans who served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States, and to their surviving spouses and primary residential caregivers.
  • Where it applies: Affordable housing projects financed or administered by:
    • New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA)
    • Public housing authorities
    • County improvement authorities
    • Redevelopment agencies
    • Department of Community Affairs when acting as a public housing authority

Key provisions

1) Definitions expanded
- "Disabled veteran" and "Veteran" definitions are expanded to include South Korean veterans who:
- served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States
- are citizens and residents of New Jersey
- have a service-connected disability as determined by the South Korean equivalent of the U.S. VA
- These new criteria apply to both the “Disabled veteran” and “Veteran” definitions.

2) Housing preference and priority
- The Commissioner of Community Affairs must establish rules to provide an affordable-housing preference for:
- Homeless veterans
- Disabled veterans
- Family members who are the primary residential caregivers to disabled veterans
- Applicants must meet the income eligibility requirements for admission to the housing project.

3) Priority order for eligible applicants
- Among those eligible for the housing project preference, priority is:
1) Homeless veterans (first)
2) Disabled veterans (second)
3) Family members who are primary residential caregivers to disabled veterans (third)

4) Connection to existing law
- The changes work in addition to existing federal/state veteran housing preferences.
- The rulemaking and administration are to be carried out under existing statutes governing housing admissions and project financing.

Affected entities and beneficiaries

  • Beneficiaries: South Korean veterans who served in the Vietnam conflict as U.S. allies, their dependent surviving spouses, and primary residential caregivers.
  • Housing programs and projects: Any affordable housing project financed or administered by the listed New Jersey authorities and agencies.

Implementation and regulatory aspects

  • The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish implementing rules and regulations for the new preference.
  • The admission standards for projects financed with various public funds remain governed by existing law, with potential adjustments to accommodate the new eligibility and priority framework.

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: February 13, 2025
  • Current status: Reported favorably by the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee; referred to Assembly Housing Committee; later actions show referrals to Rules.
  • Primary sponsor: Karines Reyes (with supporting sponsors MaryJane Shimsky, Brian Cunningham, Joe Angelino)
  • Related/companion bills: S-789 (companion), plus several prior-session related bills (A-8484, S-7025, A-6968, S-4572)

Why this matters

  • Expands access to affordable housing for a broader group of veterans, recognizing allied foreign veterans who served alongside the U.S.
  • Aligns veteran housing preferences with evolving recognizes of service and sacrifice.
  • Could affect the distribution and prioritization of affordable housing units in New Jersey by broadening eligibility and adding an extra caregiver-related priority.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current veteran housing provisions or outline potential fiscal implications based on similar programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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