Res. No. 654
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass S.2827/H.R.5443, to protect veterans against source of income discrimination and prevent homelessness among those who served the United States
By Council Members Morano and Maloney
Whereas, The veterans of the United States (U.S.) military endure hardship and sacrifice in service to this country; and
Whereas, The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides educational opportunities and acknowledges this sacrifice by providing federally authorized recurring funds to cover housing and other education expenses; and
Whereas, Throughout the U.S., student veterans using these benefits, earned in recognition of and compensation for their service, encounter discrimination and rejection by landlords, brokers, lenders, and other housing providers, despite this funding being a lawful source of income; and
Whereas, Some housing providers decline to recognize these benefits as qualifying income, creating housing instability for veterans transitioning into civilian and academic life, which undermines the effectiveness of benefits specifically designed to support reintegration after military service; and
Whereas, Corporal Yegor Zubarev, a Marine veteran, was a student receiving housing funds through the Post-9/11 GI bill, and became homeless due to the rejection of his housing allowance by prospective landlords; and
Whereas, Corporal Zubarev contributed to the creation of Devil Dog USA Incorporated, which seeks to establish federal recognition of Post-9/11 GI Bill housing stipends as lawful income nationwide; and
Whereas, The Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report to the U.S. Congress that provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, and HUD’s most recent survey found approximately 32,495 homeless veterans in the United States in 2025; and
Whereas, Congress has recognized the sacrifice and service of military personnel, and has created legal protections at the federal level; and
Whereas, These protections include the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”) of 1994, prohibiting employers from discrimination against individuals because of military service; the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”) of 2003, which provides financial and legal protection for active-duty servicemembers and their families, including the prohibition of foreclosures and evictions; and
Whereas, Congress has recognized the need to ensure housing stability for servicemembers, creating the supportive housing HUD-VASH program, which provides rental assistance to veterans who have become homeless; and
Whereas, Federal law does not generally prohibit housing discrimination based on veteran status, and the Fair Housing Act does not currently include veteran or military status as protected classes; and
Whereas, The New York City Council has protected veterans from housing discrimination, having passed Local Law 119 of 2017, which prohibits housing and other discrimination on the basis of uniformed service, as well as lawful source of income; and
Whereas, New York City is home to the largest population of veterans in New York State; and
Whereas, Findings released by the New York State Comptroller show that homelessness among New York City veterans was reduced by 90 percent from 2011 to 2022; and
Whereas, Veterans in many other jurisdictions across the country do not receive these same protections and suffer high rates of homelessness; and
Whereas, Senator Tim Kaine [VA] and Representative Scott Peters [CA-50] have introduced S.2827/H.R.5443, to amend the Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing discrimination based on source of income, veteran status, or military status; and
Whereas, In honor of the memory of Corporal Yegor Zubarev, who sought to uplift veterans and the challenges they can encounter when housing providers decline to accept Post-9/11 GI Bill funds as lawful income, denying housing opportunities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, S.2827/H.R.5443, to protect veterans against source of income discrimination and prevent homelessness among those who served the United States.
ACB
LS #24197
6/16/26 11:57