We are so proud of all that our members were able to accomplish to improve the lives of NYC’s veterans and families. Some highlights include:
Protecting Veteran and Military Status in NYC Human Rights Law
In 2016, we proposed legislation to protect veteran and military status in NYC’s Human Rights Law. In 2017, we succeeded in getting it passed and solidified as law.
Thank you to then-Public Advocate Tish James and then-Councilmember Jumaane Williams for listening to us and introducing this law to the City Council.
Thank you to our members who met with Council Members and their staff throughout our lobbying effort to tell your firsthand stories of discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations–and the need to place city-level resources and regulation toward preventing this discrimination.
Thank you to everyone who heard our call and urged their legislators to support and pass this law.
And thank you to everyone who has helped spread the word about this protection and how to get help if you believe you were discriminated against based on your veteran and military status.
Our Op-ed in New York Post:
Time for New York City to stand against anti-veteran bias
Learn more about this effort:
Naming the Manhattan VA in Honor of Combat Veteran Margaret Corbin
In 2018, we proposed legislation to name the Manhattan VA hospital in honor of the first woman known to have been wounded in combat, and the first woman veteran to be paid and pensioned by the US Armed Forces: Margaret Cochran Corbin. In 2021, this bill was enacted as law.
Thank you to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who listened to us and championed this proposal. We sincerely thank her and Senator Chuck Schumer for sponsoring this bill in the U.S. Senate and then-Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, and Rep. Jerry Nadler for their original co-sponsorship of this bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. We appreciate the support of the entire New York State Congressional delegation, as well as state and local elected officials who additionally voiced their support, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYS Senator Brad Hoylman, NYS Senator Liz Krueger, NYS Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, NYS Assembly Member Al Taylor, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera, and the NYS Division of Veterans’ Services and NYC Department of Veterans’ Services.
We are truly grateful for the advocacy and support of all of our members and supporters who enabled passage of this bill, as well as for the organizations that signed on in support: American Legion Department of New York, Disabled Veterans of America Department of New York, FDNY VFW Post 12033, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Minority Veterans of America, New York Legal Assistance Group, Service Women’s Action Network, Veteran Advocacy Project, and United Spinal Association, whose former CEO James J. Peters is the namesake of the Bronx VA Medical Center. We are also grateful to GenEquality, New Leaf Restaurant, and Backward Flag Brewing Company in their enthusiasm and support for our advocacy.
Our members advocated tirelessly to rally the full scope of support needed for this bill to become law, from walking the halls of all the Congressional office buildings to sitting down with legislators to explain the persistent experience of women veterans going to the Manhattan VA–and VA hospitals across the nation–and not being recognized as veterans. Women have been serving and sacrificing in our nation’s military all the way back to 1776–and that has become more tangibly visible by honoring the service and sacrifice of Margaret Corbin, who was severely wounded in battle in Washington Heights, Manhattan, in 1776.
Learn more about this effort:
NY1 coverage of our Margaret Corbin press conference
NPR feature story: ‘To Care For Him’: Female Veterans Ask VA To Include Them In Its Motto
Creating and Funding NYC Department of Veterans’ Services
In 2015, we surveyed veterans across NYC, put together top service providers and advocates to present a policy paper with evidence-based recommendations, and a key recommendation was the creation of an independent city agency to better meet the needs of veterans and their families. In late 2015, following our rallies, media campaigns, and advocacy–legislation creating this new agency overcame resistance from the Mayor and the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services was born.
Thank you to Council Member Eric Ulrich who listened to us and championed this legislation. Thank you to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Public Advocate Tish James for their critical support in this bill’s passage.
Thank you to Commissioner Loree Sutton, who oversaw the transition from a small mayoral office to a fully-fledged independent agency. Commissioner Sutton cited our advocacy as the “grit” that got this bill passed, and our policy paper as her “roadmap” for establishing services at this new agency.
Thank you to our members who rallied with us on the steps of City Hall and thank you to everyone who spurred our media campaign and advocacy to get this passed. Thank you also to our members who rallied with us, spoke out, and demanded the City continue its commitment to fully funding this agency in every budget year since its inception.
Learn more about this effort:
NY1 Online: Panel Talks Creation of NYC Department of Veterans Affairs
Ulrich pressures de Blasio on veterans bill
Veterans Hope Dedicated Agency Is Start of New Relationship With De Blasio
City Resets First Budget Hearing for New Veterans Affairs Department
Tax Relief for Veteran Homeowners
In 2015, we spearheaded a working group to propose solutions for gaps in tax relief for veteran homeowners in New York State and NYC tax law. The result was a series of laws and rules closing these gaps. Most notably, our efforts served to extend veterans property exemptions to include school tax exemptions, aligned with other jurisdictions across New York State. Our efforts also served to expand eligibility of NYC veterans for property tax exemptions. More work needs to be done, but we are proud of all that our members helped to accomplish for veteran homeowners in NYC.
Thank you to our members who workshopped and talked through so many policy details with us, met with NYC Council Members and the Public Advocate’s office, and rallied with us in support of tax relief bills.
Thank you to Council Members Steve Matteo and Joe Borelli for your commitment to this issue.
Thank you to representatives from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the NYC Department of Finance who helped us parse through the details of the Alternative Veterans Exemption, Cold War Veterans Exemption, and Eligible Funds Exemption, and opt-ins by school boards to these exemptions.
Learn more about existing veterans property tax exemptions here:
Learn more about our efforts here:
Provide Cold War vets with additional property tax relief, Borelli says
Our Record of Advocacy and Results
From 2015 to 2022, NYC Veterans Alliance delivered dozens of testimonies before the New York City Council on matters pertaining to veterans, servicemembers, and their families, demanding better performance and responsiveness by government agencies for those who have served our nation. We brought forward community-driven priorities, data, and solutions. We issued public statements and letters of support for legislation, we advised on working groups and coalitions, and signed onto amicus briefs in court challenges. We supported passage of legislation supporting solutions for homeless veterans, student veterans, elderly veterans, veterans with “bad paper” discharges, and veterans at high risk for suicide and incarceration. We advocated to make housing and cost of living more affordable for veterans and their families. We rallied and advocated against discrimination. We rallied and spoke up to keep VA healthcare open and accessible for NYC veterans. We spoke to media and kept veterans as an essential part of the public conversation.
Here are highlights of media coverage of our work:
New York veterans hospital, struggling with coronavirus outbreak, asked to help civilians
New law provides protections for New York’s LGBTQ veterans, vets with PTSD and brain injuries
Somber quiet amid the pandemic at intimate Memorial Day ceremony in Brooklyn
Air Force vet facing homelessness over fears of coronavirus in shelters
Veterans groups step up efforts to help with coronavirus financial challenges and isolation
VA physician tests positive for COVID-19, treated patients before being quarantined
Veterans Affairs, a Trump Signature Issue, Is Facing Turmoil Again
NYC got homeless vets off the streets. Can it replicate the feat?
Chaim Deutsch Blasted in Role as Veterans Committee Chair
VA has denied about 78% of disability claims from burn pits
Treated Like a ‘Piece of Meat’: Female Veterans Endure Harassment at the V.A.
Housing Discrimination Against Veterans Is Evident
Former Army officer slams de Blasio over veterans services remark
City spending on veterans spikes as services decline
N.Y. veterans know the real Bill de Blasio
NYC veterans group rips de Blasio over Las Vegas event
Shutdown Day 28: The Impact on New Yorkers
When We Say “Support The Troops”…
What the Federal VA Leadership Change Means for New York City Veterans
Veterans Vulnerable as Trump Threatens Food Aid for 70,000 New Yorkers
LGBTQ Vets Seek Changes to NYS Law Aiming to Aid Them
Stakeholders Discuss Next Steps in Eliminating Homelessness Among Military Veterans
Budget cuts could shutter veterans suicide prevention program, lawmakers say
Advocates call for a renewed national conversation on veteran suicide
Long-delayed Brooklyn War Memorial renovations to start in November
Students LIVE Act To Protect Student Veterans
Experts discuss challenges VA hospitals face
Veterans and supporters mobilize in opposition to closure of ENT clinic at Brooklyn VA Hospital
What policies can help veterans after their service?
Coming Home: Veterans Day 2017
The President’s Transgender Military Ban
Ending The Stigma Around Mental Illness And Suicide Starts With Speaking Up
Thousands of flags on National Mall bring attention to veteran suicides
NYC Veterans Protest Trans Ban, Budget Cuts
Examining History of National Guard Troops’ Deployment to Enforce Immigration Laws
Veterans fear the worst as Brooklyn VA Hospital announces cutbacks
Plan to convert Brooklyn VA Hospital to ambulatory center raises alarm with vets, pols
Elected officials: Don’t close VA hospital surgery unit
Veterans say Brooklyn VA lacks transparency; Donovan bill would require communication
Veterans fear Brooklyn VA hospital may soon shut down
Manhattan Veteran Treatment Court to Lend Hand to Ex-GIs Running Afoul of the Law
De Blasio’s New Plan To Combat Inequality Stiffs Vets
Army reservist service extends to tackling veteran homelessness
De Blasio’s Pride Over Ending ‘Chronic Homelessness’ Is Premature: Veterans
City Moving 135 Vets Into Permanent UWS Housing
Long-Awaited, City’s New Approach to Veterans Services Moves Ahead
De Blasio administration won’t back veteran task force bill
Amid criticism, mayor meets with top military officials
After delays, city veterans commissioner promises movement
City Set to Hit Functional Zero Veteran Homelessness, Though Challenges Remain
Council Passes Three Bills to Improve Services for Military Veterans
NYC Veterans Alliance 