HOLMDEL, New Jersey — New Jersey leaders on Monday launched a new initiative aimed at eliminating homelessness for veterans.

This is an attempt to prevent a major problem in the Garden State.

Lieutenant Governor Way announces “Bringing Veterans Home” initiative

During a Veterans Day ceremony held at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Museum in Holmdel, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way announced the new initiative, “Bringing Veterans Home.”

“This will place over 1,000 homeless New Jersey veterans into stable housing over the next two years. So yes and amen,” Way said.

The program will bring senior service groups together with the state to begin outreach in early 2025.

“It is important that those who sacrifice so much for their fellow Americans are never left without a safe and stable home,” Way said.

“This is a first step. That’s all.”

Officials allocated nearly $31 million in state and federal funding for the initiative and estimate there are 1,164 homeless veterans in New Jersey.

“I’m really shocked that the government hasn’t done more to take care of these people since they’ve returned home,” said Vietnam veteran Allen Rothman.

Rothman, who serves as a volunteer tour guide at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Museum, said the new initiative is a long-overdue step to protect those who protect us.

“This is a first step. That’s all. There’s a lot more to be done,” Rothman said.