Murphy (speaking), Schumer, Vanderhoef, others, visit Camp Shanks

TAPPAN - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced Monday he will be pushing for a $225 million bill that would help put the large number of war veterans across the United States in affordable housing, including the nearly 7,000 right here in the Hudson Valley.

During World War II, more than 1.3 million American soldiers came through Camp Shanks in Rockland County on their way to battle, and now it sits in disrepair after sitting dormant for over 60 years.

Under proposed legislation, originally sponsored by U.S. Senator and President-Elect Barack Obama in 2007, the camp once known as “Last Stop U.S.A.” will be getting a new lease on life.

Rockland County Legislator John Murphy and the Rockland Housing Coalition would like to see funds to breathe new life into Camp Shanks.

“We hope that this is day one of a process that ultimately provides home for 50 veterans who become so egregiously in combat that they can never either ear the money or have the physical strength to own and operate a private home, but will call this their home.”

Total cost for purchase of the property, construction, and ongoing support for the new housing project totals nearly $10 million.

Schumer said during a visit to the site Monday there is a “great chance” of the Homes for Heroes Act passing both houses, considering “the overwhelming number of veterans coming back from Iraq with psychological trauma and the inability to deal with everyday life without additional help.”

County Executive Scott Vanderhoef has already dedicated Department of Health and Department of Social Services staff to aid in operations once the new housing project is completed.