SACRAMENTO–Nearly 700 low-income and homeless Veterans and their families will benefit from affordable housing opportunities announced today by three state agencies. Seventeen projects throughout California will receive funding through Proposition 41 and the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program (VHHP).
“With cities statewide pushing to meet the national goal of ending Veteran’s homelessness, this funding could not have come at a better time,” said HUD Regional Administrator Ophelia Basgal. “These targeted investments will leverage HUD housing assistance and VA support services to end the homelessness of hundreds of veterans and their families across California.”
Tuesday’s announcement by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, and the California Housing Finance Agency represents the first round of funding through Proposition 41 and the VHHP and will be directed to 17 housing developments statewide (see list below). The majority of these developments have committed to providing intensive supportive services responsive to Veterans’ individual needs, such as case management, drug and alcohol counseling, health clinics, disability benefit advocacy, as well as family and childcare services.
“California is moving a giant step forward in assisting our homeless Veterans,” said California Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Theresa Gunn. “This team effort will give more Veterans access to affordable, stable housing options.”
A second round of awards is expected to be available this fall, providing additional opportunities to apply for and receive funds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable multifamily housing for California’s Veterans and their families.
“We are working to reduce Veteran homelessness all over California,” said California Department of Housing and Community Development Acting Director Susan Riggs. “This funding focuses on the specific housing, financial challenges and other supportive services needed over the long term for low-income and homeless Veterans.”
In October 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 639, which authorized $600 million in general obligation bonds to provide for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable multifamily permanent, transitional and supportive housing for low-income and homeless Veterans. In June 2014, California voters approved Proposition 41, providing funding for the program.
