Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) secured a preliminary $350,000 in funding as part of the FY 2011 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill to help disabled and displaced veterans at Joseph’s Home in Pearl River.  The legislation passed the full House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.

The funding is for Joseph’s Home (Homes for Heroes) to rehabilitate an existing garage on a former vacant Army Reserve Center into a community room for veterans at the former Camp Shanks location.  Rep. Engel worked to convince the Army to convert the abandoned facility into a location to benefit homeless veterans and he worked closely with Legislator John Murphy to make the project a reality.

Rep. Engel said, “Anything that can be done in Washington to help our veterans, especially those in the greatest need, is something I am very pleased to accomplish.  These veterans risked their lives on our behalf and helping them is something which I hope to continue doing for many years to come.  I look forward to continuing to work in Congress to move this project forward.”

Legislator John Murphy, Chairman of the Board for Homes for Heroes said, “Rep. Engel has kept his word to stay the course to make sure returning veterans who are disabled and displaced can afford to rent a nice home in the suburbs.”

This action was another step in the process with the bill now to be voted on by the full House. The Senate is also working on its version of the bill.

Rep. Engel added, “While this is not the end of the Appropriations process,, I feel very good that funding for this important program was included in this measure. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure this funding is preserved as the bill moves through the legislative process.”

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