Stern: veterans cannot use what they do not know about
Steve SternAssemblymember and chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Stern said veterans cannot use programs they do not know about, and said every state agency must help publicize and run such programs effectively.
Responding to
HCR's Office of Community Renewal did not effectively monitor local program administrators or direct outreach to counties with many disabled veterans, and that delayed home-repair funding for veterans with disabilities.
“our nation's heroes can't, and won't, utilize what they don't know about.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Did New York adequately oversee and promote its home-repair program for veterans with disabilities?
A July 2026 state audit found that New York spent $1.2 million, or 36%, of $3.3 million in recent Access to Home for Heroes/Veterans contracts as of October 2025. The Comptroller blamed weak oversight and outreach. The housing agency says it has since added monitoring and quarterly reporting.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Comptroller news release announcing the audit, with statements from DiNapoli and four legislators. The release says 81 projects were "completed"; the audit report says the nine administrators with activity had "started" 81 projects.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
His statement was included in the Comptroller's July 27, 2026 news release.
After the quotation
He agreed with the Comptroller that every state agency must help get the word out about veterans programs.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
He faults the state's publicity and administration of veterans programs, which bears on the outreach finding.
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More from this case
Read the full caseHawley: unused funding falls on veterans
“When funding sits unused because of poor oversight and inadequate outreach, the people who pay the price are the men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.”Read statement
Hunter: state must do more
“Veterans with disabilities deserve safe, accessible homes, and this audit shows the state must do more to ensure this program reaches the people it was created to help.”Read statement
Baskin: program fell short on oversight
“It is deeply concerning that a program created to help veterans with disabilities remain safely in their homes has fallen short because of administrative delays and inadequate oversight.”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Stern: veterans cannot use what they do not know about
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/5363-stern-said-veterans-cannot-use-programs-they-do
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Stern: veterans cannot use what they do not know about". First published: 2026-10-10. Last updated: 2026-10-10. https://disputeindex.com/events/5363-stern-said-veterans-cannot-use-programs-they-do