Mayor Adams Takes Action to Get More Veterans Housed and Good Jobs, “Kicks Off Veterans and Service Members’ Week”

May 18, 2025

Adams Administration Renews Support for Cold War Veterans’
Property Tax Exemption, Expands Interest-Free Home Loan Options, and
Simplifies Access to Housing and Jobs for New York City Veterans 

Part of National Military Appreciation Week, New York City’s Fleet Week, and Lead up
to Memorial Day, Adams Administration Launches “Veterans and Service Members’ Week,”
Uplifting City’s Efforts to Serve Those Who Have Served Fellow Americans  

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon today kicked off “Veterans and Service Members’ Week” — coinciding with national Military Appreciation Month — by announcing a series of strategic initiatives focused on strengthening housing stability and enhancing employment opportunities for veterans and their families. These initiatives reaffirm Mayor Adams’ commitment to placing veterans at the center of New York City’s broader economic agenda, ensuring that those who served this nation can thrive in the greatest city in it. Mayor Adams’ Veterans and Service Members’ Week aims to uplift the city’s efforts to serve those who have served the United States, including the 210,000 veterans who live in New York City.  

“Our veterans and service members put their lives on the line for our country, fighting to defend our way of life — that’s why our administration will always have their backs,” said Mayor Adams. “With over 210,000 veterans living in our city, Veterans and Service Members’ Week and National Military Appreciation Month is about ensuring we give all our military members — both past and present — the support and resources they need and deserve. Through smart, targeted investments, we are connecting New York City’s veterans to affordable housing, job opportunities, and more as we deliver a safer, more affordable city to all, including those who have and continue to serve our nation.” 

“Today, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by taking concrete steps to support those who returned home. Streamlined access to housing and expanded employment support directly translate into a stronger, healthier veteran community,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Hendon. “These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to fulfilling that responsibility.” 

The Adams administration has been focused on delivering for veterans and service members, including by fostering new opportunities for veterans as they build the next chapter in their careers. In an eight-month period, between November 2023 and June 2024, the administration contacted over 10,500 New York City veterans and connected them with referrals for various supportive services as part of “Mission: VetCheck,” a partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Services and New York Cares that enlists volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to veterans across the city, creating a crucial point of connection between veterans and their community to provide resources and information about public services, including mental health services, free meals, housing resources, and employment information.  

Building on these accomplishments, the Adams administration is announcing four key strategic initiatives focused on helping veterans secure affordable housing and job opportunities: 

Renewed Advocacy for Cold War Veterans Property Tax Exemption
New York City is renewing its call for the passage of the Cold War Veterans Property Tax Exemption, a measure that would extend long-overdue property tax relief to veterans who served honorably during periods of peacetime. While New York state authorizes three categories of veteran property tax exemptions, New York City currently implements only two, making it the only major tax jurisdiction in the state that has not adopted all three. 

The Adams administration is announcing support for Intro No. 0740-2024, a New York City Council bill that would correct this imbalance. If enacted, the law is expected to provide an average annual benefit of $938 to approximately 11,000 eligible Cold War-era veteran homeowners while bringing New York City into alignment with statewide norms — ensuring parity for veterans who stood ready to serve, even in times of uneasy peace. 

Interest-Free Homeownership Loans for Veterans
To help veteran families build long-term stability through homeownership, the Department of Veterans’ Services has partnered with the Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) and the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) to launch the HFLS Veterans Homeownership Loan Program. 

The program offers zero-interest, no-fee loans of up to $30,000 — capped at 2 percent of a home’s purchase price — for veterans purchasing homes through SONYMA’s Homes for Veterans program. Loans are repayable over five years through monthly installments, providing vital financial flexibility at the critical point of purchase. This initiative is designed to close affordability gaps and enable more veterans to put down permanent roots in New York City neighborhoods. 

Simplified Housing Access for Veterans with Disabilities
The Department of Veterans’ Services, in collaboration with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, has streamlined the NYC Housing Connect application process to make it faster and more accessible for veterans with disabilities. Under the revised policy, veterans applying for affordable housing through NYC Housing Connect can now have their disability status certified directly by a supervisor at either the Department of Veterans’ Services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Previously, applicants were required to obtain certification from a licensed medical provider. This change eliminates that requirement, allowing licensed clinical social workers or designated civil servants at the Department of Veterans’ Services or the VA to complete the necessary third-party certification. The updated process reduces administrative barriers and expedites housing access for qualified veterans. 

Targeted Employment Support for Veterans
Since January 2025, the Department of Veterans’ Services has provided direct, personalized support to nearly 100 veterans navigating complex job transitions, including many impacted by federal workforce reductions. Through one-on-one guidance, résumé support, job matching, and skills translation, the Department of Veterans’ Services has helped veterans secure new roles, access job training, and take meaningful steps toward long-term career growth. 

Veterans supported by the Department of Veterans’ Services have recently been placed at agencies and institutions across both the public and private sectors, including at the New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Emergency Management, the New York City Department of Small Business Services, Northwell Health, Morgan Stanley, and Macquarie Capital. 

The Department of Veterans’ Services continues to expand its employment partnerships across industries to connect veterans with careers that match their experience, leadership skills, and aspirations. Veterans seeking employment support are encouraged to visit the Department of Veterans’ Services website to connect with a specialist. 

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