Rep. Vail proposes affordable housing for veterans

HARTFORD — State lawmakers are considering a proposal by State Rep. Kurt Vail that would provide assistance for more affordable housing for the brave men and women who served their country and have returned home to Connecticut.

“Members of the armed forces bravely serve our country but many return to Connecticut to find that there is a lack of affordable housing options for them,” Vail said Tuesday. “This is very concerning. We certainly have a duty to aid our veterans in finding affordable housing once they return from service.

Reports indicate that almost 75 percent of the state’s 222,000 veterans are over that age of 55. These aging veterans will face more health challenges and need added resources as they get older.

Vail’s bill, H.B. 5108, intends to help veterans’ transition into civilian life by providing added assistance in securing affordable housing.

“Many veterans cannot afford to move into assisted living housing in order to face these challenges in a more comfortable way. By directing the Department of Housing to provide more resources to help these veterans, we will ensure that our veterans are properly cared for when they come home,” Vail said.

The Veterans’ Affairs Committee is mulling the legislation, and lawmakers have about three weeks to act on it before the bill dies.