THE VETERANS FUND NEWSLETTER Issue V, October 2021

This issue of The Veterans Fund newsletter features a substantial update on the accomplishments to date of the West LA Veterans Collective (WLAVC)—including visuals for buildings under development, the draft community plan, funding highlights, and more!  U.S. VA Secretary Highlights the West LA VA Campus Two years after being selected as the Principal Developer of the West LA VA North Campus, the West LA Veterans Collective, with the support of Congressman Lieu and Senator Feinstein, is leading the way to restore the campus to its intended purpose and fulfill its promise to the men and women who proudly served our country. Recently, VA Secretary Denis McDonough spoke about the significance of the West LA VA project during his keynote address at the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans conference. We are tremendously grateful for the Secretary’s partnership and his call to action to advance the West LA VA veteran community—a critical and complex project like none before.  At this time, 182 units of housing under construction and slated for completion in 2022. The first to open is building 207, which will house and serve 60 senior veterans. An additional 380 units are in predevelopment, with plans to break ground next year and be completed within 3 years.

Our Campus Vision Is Coming To Life The West LA VA community will be the nation’s largest veteran supportive housing campus in the country, but it’s about more than just housing. It will also be a vibrant and therapeutic community with comprehensive veteran supportive services, spaces, amenities, and a coordinated care system with the VA and Los Angeles based veteran services organizations on-site. To review the extensive community plan for the campus, visit here.

The State of California awards $20M to West LA VA Housing

With the recent passage of California’s 2021 Budget (under AB-128, Budget Act of 2021), the State has approved $20 million of assistance to the West LA Veterans Collective to accelerate the delivery of housing on the West LA VA campus. With the support of Speaker Rendon, Assemblyman Bryan and Governor Newsom, these critical resources will help to fill financial gaps, assist in leveraging additional funding, and speed the delivery of housing for our veterans.   This significant funding, along with support from VA, Federal, State, County, and City sources, will help to make this almost billion-dollar historic project a reality. To date, the West LA VC has raised $135M from public resources and have more than $50 million of pending funding applications before the State.

Today, we have the opportunity to resurrect the legacy of the West LA VA North Campus. With the support of our partners and community, U.S.VETS and the Veterans Collective partners will provide those who bravely served our country with the care, safety, and respect they have earned.

Stephen J. Peck, M.S.W. President and CEO, U.S.VETS USMC 1968 - 1971

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