Congresswoman Corrine Brown Pleased that Homeless will be Housed in Empty California State Veterans Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 26, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

“As a senior member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, in my over 20 years of service on the Committee, I have continually worked to increase access to VA benefits for all veterans. When I visited the state veterans home in Los Angeles early last year, I was dismayed that facilities built with federal funds were standing vacant due to budget concerns. I am pleased that veterans facing homelessness will now be able to take advantage of empty housing in federally built state veterans homes in West Los Angeles.

“The VA and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) have been working on an agreement to partner to utilize an unoccupied 84-bed area of the West LA State Veterans Home for a CalVet Domiciliary for Veterans facing homelessness,” Rep. Brown continued.

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will be providing the food for the 84 Veterans who will reside at the facility as well as case management and social work services to meet the unique needs of this population. An agreement is expected to be in place within the next 60 to 90 days. CalVet and VAGLAHS are both prepared to begin admitting residents as soon as the agreement is executed, and it is projected that these 84 domiciliary beds will be filled within 6 to 8 months of the agreement.

There is also an opportunity for temporarily using another 84-bed area for the WLASVH as temporary lodging for Veterans experiencing an episode of care at the West Los Angeles Medical Center. This second area is expected to be available for approximately 18 months or until such time as CalVet has obtained full licensure for its remaining skilled nursing beds. This is another example of the collaborative relationship between VA and CalVet, and both Departments are committed to opening this temporary lodging facility for Veterans within the next 60 to 90 days.

Representative Brown concluded, “I applaud the VA and the California Department of Veterans Affairs for working together to bring this essential service to those men and women who have sacrificed so much to defend the freedoms of this country.”