New legislation signed in Suffolk County Monday aims to help provide housing for homeless veterans.

There are about 200 known homeless veterans on Long Island who have returned from service only to find difficulties in getting jobs and securing housing. Suffolk County officials say the new law, called the Housing Our Homeless Heroes Act, will help such veterans get their lives back on track.

County Executive Steve Bellone says the law will allow Suffolk to set aside a surplus of county properties that will be rehabilitated by nonprofit groups for veterans.

Long Island veterans' groups are touting the legislation as a step in combating a growing homeless population.