Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Wednesday that New Jersey has reached a major milestone in its effort to end veteran homelessness, saying the state’s Bringing Veterans Home initiative has established a coordinated housing system designed to ensure that no veteran is left without access to stable housing.

The announcement was made at the Trenton War Memorial alongside officials from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA), and veterans from across the state.

According to the administration, the initiative has created a fully funded statewide network of housing resources that has made veteran homelessness “rare, brief, and non-recurring.” State officials said that more veterans are now moving into permanent housing each month than are entering homelessness, a trend they say has been sustained over time.

The Bringing Veterans Home initiative launched in November 2024 with more than $30 million in state and federal funding dedicated over two years to help veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness secure permanent housing and supportive services. Since its launch, the program has permanently housed more than 2,500 veterans across New Jersey.

Governor Sherrill called the achievement a significant milestone, saying no veteran who served the nation should have to experience homelessness. She said New Jersey hopes its approach can serve as a model for other states.

DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez said the initiative goes beyond simply placing veterans into housing by focusing on long-term stability and ensuring veterans receive the services needed to remain housed.

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Vincent Solomeno III said the program demonstrates what can be accomplished when government agencies work together rather than requiring veterans in crisis to navigate multiple bureaucracies on their own.

The initiative is led by DCA’s Office of Homelessness Prevention in partnership with DMAVA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and numerous veterans service organizations. Officials said it marks the first formal statewide partnership between New Jersey and veteran service organizations to combat veteran homelessness.

As part of the program, six regional coordination hubs have been established throughout New Jersey to streamline access to housing and support services. The hubs are operated by nonprofit organizations specializing in homelessness intervention and coordinate resources including HUD-VASH vouchers, State Rental Assistance Program vouchers, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter, street outreach, and supportive services.

State officials said veterans referred to the program are contacted within 24 hours, with a goal of placing them into stable housing within 30 days.

Veterans may access the program through self-referral, community organizations, housing providers, NJ Vet2Vet, NJ 211, or outreach teams. Existing service providers can also submit referrals electronically through the state’s Homelessness Management Information System.

Officials said the initiative currently has sufficient permanent housing capacity to continue housing veterans faster than new cases of homelessness occur while minimizing repeat homelessness. Property owners interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact the Department of Community Affairs.