Earlier this week, Sen. Jason T. Dickerson introduced Senate Bill 429 in the Georgia Senate. The bill, called the Housing for Heroes Act, aims to make it easier for 100% totally disabled veterans to qualify for housing by limiting monthly income requirements. Under the proposed legislation, landlords would not be allowed to require tenants to have an income greater than twice the monthly rent.
“In recent years, the average monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment has climbed to between $1,500 and $1,700 across the metro area,” said Sen. Dickerson. “Many landlords require tenants to earn three times the monthly rent, but veterans who are 100% disabled as a result of their service often only receive about $4,000 a month in federal benefits. That standard can make housing completely out of reach, leaving too many of our heroes at risk of homelessness. The freedoms we enjoy and the offices we hold are possible because of their sacrifice. SB 429 is a small but meaningful way to show our gratitude and ensure our most severely disabled veterans have a fair chance at safe, stable housing.”
The bill is currently awaiting further consideration in the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military and Homeland Security.
Sen. Jason T. Dickerson represents Georgia’s 21st Senate District, which includes parts of Cherokee and Fulton counties.
State Senator John F. Kennedy represented Georgia’s 18th District and held several leadership roles including President Pro Tempore and chair of the Administrative Affairs Committee. He also served on committees such as Ethics, Finance, Health and Human Services, and Rules while engaging in legislative activities according to his official website. Kennedy focused on legislative sponsorship during his tenure as state senator (source). He was sworn into office on January 12, 2015 (source) and maintained an office at 305-B CLOB in Atlanta (source). Kennedy practiced law and studied at Mercer University (source).
For media inquiries regarding SB 429 or Sen. Dickerson’s work, contact details are available through official channels.