DVS · Agency plan

Department of Veterans' Services

Preliminary REP pages 57-59

Plan area: Children, Youth, Older Adults & Families

1 Short-Term 1 Medium-Term 1 Long-Term

Mission & Commitment

The NYC Department of Veterans Services (DVS) connects, mobilizes, and empowers New York City's Veteran community in order to foster purpose-driven lives for U.S. Military Service Members past and present in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. DVS has a crucial role to play in advancing racial equity among Veterans in New York City by addressing systemic disparities that affect marginalized Service Members. By ensuring equitable access to benefits, information, and opportunities, the agency can actively combat historical injustices and promote inclusive policies that recognize the unique challenges faced by Veterans of color. Through outreach, education, and targeted support services, the agency is committed to fostering an environment where all Veterans can live a life with purpose and stability.

Spotlight wins

Since 2016, the New York City Department of Veterans Service has placed more than 1,400 Veterans in supportive and permanent housing.

Short-Term Goals

Short-Term Community Engagement & Participation

Support Veterans in gaining greater awareness of affordable and supportive housing opportunities, informed by agency disparity analysis

Population focus: Veterans

Outcome & strategies

Outcome: By the end of 2026, operationalize 100% of affordable housing outreach strategies.

Expand outreach capacity through onboarding an Affordable Housing Specialist staff member
Devise inclusive and effective outreach and education strategies that expand our agency's work in historically underserved and underinvested neighborhoods
Connect Veterans and their families to affordable housing counseling, presentations, and marketing materials, with a focus on those of underrepresented backgrounds

Goal ID: DVS-G01

Medium-Term Goals

Medium-Term Public Safety & Policing

Pursue structural reform to rectify policies that have consistently been harmful to the socio-economic mobility of Veterans, including Veterans of color

Population focus: Veterans

Outcome & strategies

Outcome: By 2030, inform and support Veterans, particularly those who live in historically underserved and underinvested neighborhoods, with all changes in laws and policies related to the VA Home Loan and co-op ownership.

Partner with Congressional Legislators to advocate for a rule change that would allow the VA Home Loan to be used for purchasing co-op apartments in an effort to create more opportunity for first time homebuying particularly for Veterans of color
Inform Veterans in New York City with information about changes to the VA Home Loan and other financing resources

Goal ID: DVS-G02

Long-Term Goals

Long-Term Housing Stability & Anti-Displacement

Enhance the city’s capacity to assist Veterans who seek to have their discharge status upgraded and identify and address any systemic harms contributing to the rates of homelessness for Veterans, who often face housing insecurity due to ineligibility for VA care and housing support because of their discharge status.

Population focus: Veterans

Goal ID: DVS-G03

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