We’ve all driven through neighborhoods throughout the Hudson Valley and noticed abandoned homes and properties located within thriving communities. Not only are they an eyesore, but they can also invite a criminal element, and drag down property values.

If you, or someone you know, is living close to one of these abandoned properties, you can call and report them with the Zombie Homes hotline at the New York State Department of Financial Services(DFS) at (800) 342-3736.

While this is certainly a help, what if some of these homes could be repaired and fixed so that they could be a help to homeless veterans? That's what Representative Sean Patrick Maloney is proposing to do with the Housing for Heroes Act.

If passed, this would create a three-year, $25 million pilot program within the VA. The monies would go to organizations to enable them to purchase these zombie properties and restore them to be able to house homeless veterans. Sounds like a great idea!

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