Accomplishments

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CARES PANEL - SEPTEMBER 22, 2005

CARES PROCESS The Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) program is VA's effort to produce a logical national plan for modernizing health care facilities. With respect to the West LA campus, the first part of the process involves land-use decisions which will impact future development and programming on the campus. The Advisory Panel met on September 22, 2005 to receive community input on proposals.

HOMELESS VETERANS THERAPEUTIC HOUSING PROPOSAL Organizations with extensive experience serving homeless special needs veterans (New Directions, the Salvation Army, US Vets, Volunteers of American, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, with support from the City of Santa Monica and A Community of Friends) have collaborated on a proposal which briefly outlines a plan for the development and operation of “long-term therapeutic supportive housing” on the West Los Angeles VA campus. The proposed housing will use innovative models and will link homeless veterans with special needs and chronically homeless veterans with the services they need. These services include the comprehensive array of medical, psychological, and social services available on the VA campus.

As many as 300 to 500 chronically homeless and homeless special needs veterans will reside in the proposed housing at any one time. Potentially, some special needs veterans at-risk for homelessness may also be served. The number of homeless veterans in Los Angeles County is estimated to be 17,000 to 18,000.

The coalition proposes that the Department of Veterans Affairs award leasehold interests in the requested buildings through a competitive bidding process open to organizations with experience developing and operating housing for homeless veterans.

RESOURCES FOR THE HOUSING The coalition requests that the CARES Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs designate appropriate buildings or property on the VA West Los Angeles Campus for the development of the new veteran housing for homeless veterans with special needs, giving priority to chronically homeless veterans. The coalition specifically requests the designation of Building # 205 (approximately 53,047 square feet), Building # 208 (47,265 square feet), and Building # 209 (46,706 square feet), or similar or comparable structures.

FINANCING The coalition proposes that the selected organizations be responsible for financing, developing, and operating the new veteran housing. Primary funding sources for the development of the housing may include federal low income housing tax credits; other grants from federal, state and local government; and private donations. Funds for operation would likely come primarily from affordable resident rents, with some subsidies and contracts for provision of supportive services possibly coming from federal, state and local governments, as well as private foundations and donations.

This page was last modified on 10/25/06



About the Westside COG COG Description COG News Mission Statement Accomplishments Work Programs Joint Projects Meetings Contact Us E-mail Subscription	Accomplishments VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CARES PANEL - SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 CARES PROCESS The Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) program is VA's effort to produce a logical national plan for modernizing health care facilities. With respect to the West LA campus, the first part of the process involves land-use decisions which will impact future development and programming on the campus. The Advisory Panel met on September 22, 2005 to receive community input on proposals. HOMELESS VETERANS THERAPEUTIC HOUSING PROPOSAL Organizations with extensive experience serving homeless special needs veterans (New Directions, the Salvation Army, US Vets, Volunteers of American, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, with support from the City of Santa Monica and A Community of Friends) have collaborated on a proposal which briefly outlines a plan for the development and operation of “long-term therapeutic supportive housing” on the West Los Angeles VA campus. The proposed housing will use innovative models and will link homeless veterans with special needs and chronically homeless veterans with the services they need. These services include the comprehensive array of medical, psychological, and social services available on the VA campus. As many as 300 to 500 chronically homeless and homeless special needs veterans will reside in the proposed housing at any one time. Potentially, some special needs veterans at-risk for homelessness may also be served. The number of homeless veterans in Los Angeles County is estimated to be 17,000 to 18,000. The coalition proposes that the Department of Veterans Affairs award leasehold interests in the requested buildings through a competitive bidding process open to organizations with experience developing and operating housing for homeless veterans. RESOURCES FOR THE HOUSING The coalition requests that the CARES Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs designate appropriate buildings or property on the VA West Los Angeles Campus for the development of the new veteran housing for homeless veterans with special needs, giving priority to chronically homeless veterans. The coalition specifically requests the designation of Building # 205 (approximately 53,047 square feet), Building # 208 (47,265 square feet), and Building # 209 (46,706 square feet), or similar or comparable structures. FINANCING The coalition proposes that the selected organizations be responsible for financing, developing, and operating the new veteran housing. Primary funding sources for the development of the housing may include federal low income housing tax credits; other grants from federal, state and local government; and private donations. Funds for operation would likely come primarily from affordable resident rents, with some subsidies and contracts for provision of supportive services possibly coming from federal, state and local governments, as well as private foundations and donations. This page was last modified on 10/25/06