Rendering of Veteran supportive housing on the West Los Angeles VA North Campus.
The nation’s largest supportive housing development for Veterans broke ground last Friday in West Los Angeles. This event was organized by The Veterans Collective and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles, with the participation of federal, state, and local officials. The project will provide 87 new homes for Veterans experiencing homelessness on the West Los Angeles VA North Campus.
The two new developments, Building 158 and Building 210, will expand the housing capacity for Veterans. Building 158, managed by Century Housing, will offer 49 homes, while Building 210, developed by U.S.VETS, will provide 38 homes, primarily for Women Veterans and their children.
“Today’s groundbreaking of Buildings 158 and 210 signifies increased momentum in housing development and helps solidify the ongoing transformation of the West LA VA campus for those who have served our country,” said Steve Peck, CEO of U.S.VETS, expressing the importance of this milestone.
Peck emphasized that these buildings will offer essential housing for high-need populations, including historically underserved Women Veterans.
So far, the West LA VA North Campus project has seen 237 homes occupied, with an additional 504 under construction. This progress indicates that the project is past the halfway mark towards its goal of providing at least 1,200 homes for Veterans. With an anticipated total cost exceeding $1.4 billion, this development represents a significant investment in housing solutions and services for at-risk Veterans in Greater Los Angeles.
“Ensuring our Veterans have access to the housing they need is not only a moral imperative – it’s a debt of honor we owe for the sacrifices they have made in service to our country,” stated Congressman Brad Sherman.
Sherman was instrumental in securing $1.5 million in federal funding for Century Housing’s initiative.
The Veterans Collective, a nonprofit organization formed by Century Housing, Thomas Safran & Associates, and U.S.VETS, leads the transformation of the North Campus. Dedicated to the well-being of over 3,000 Veterans and their families, The Veterans Collective strives to provide housing and services that promote recovery, wellness, and a hopeful future.
The development of the West LA VA campus is made possible through a combination of enhanced use leases, infrastructure support from the Department of Veterans Affairs, VASH vouchers from the Los Angeles County Development Authority, and capital support from CalVET. Additional funding comes from Cedars-Sinai, CREA, USAA, Chase Bank, Citi Bank, and contributions to the Veterans Promise Campaign by various foundations and corporations.
The North Campus is envisioned as a vibrant community offering services, including mental health counseling, case management, career programs, and other supportive services. These amenities will create a safe and nurturing environment for both resident Veterans and those living in the surrounding community.
“What is being accomplished here for California’s deserving Veterans reflects what we can do for Californians in need across this great state,” said Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing & Community Development.
The project is an example of how public and private collaboration can lead to transformative community development. Spanning over 80 acres, the North Campus will continue the legacy of the land, originally deeded by the Bandini family in 1887 for the establishment of an Old Soldiers Home. Once complete, it will offer a supportive and inclusive community for Veterans and their families.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
