A new affordable housing project in Los Angeles was recently announced that will provide veterans who have struggled with homelessness with permanent housing.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced this week the new 100 percent affordable housing project, which will be a 53-unit development.
At an event held to unveil the affordable housing project, which will be near the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Bass spoke about the project and said that when she first took office, it could take years just to approve an affordable housing project in Los Angeles.
“A maze of bureaucracy and years of inaction by past city leaders left far too many Angelenos and too many veterans sleeping on our streets. We never hesitate to fund war, but when those young Americans come home, too often we fail them – and that’s unacceptable,” Bass said. “That’s why my administration is cutting red tape, building affordable housing faster than ever, and, for the first time in our city’s history, actually reducing homelessness for veterans and all Angelenos.”
As a result of Bass’ Executive Directive 1, more than 40,000 affordable housing units are in the pipeline, with more than 6,000 already under construction – including the site where the event was held.
With part of Bass’ agenda being moving Los Angeles away from the city’s homelessness crisis, she signed Executive Directive 1 in December 2022, which is a housing initiative designed to rapidly accelerate the construction of 100% affordable and temporary housing in Los Angeles.
Army veteran David Sinatra said at the event that without Bass’ push to help the homeless veterans, he wouldn’t be here today.
“It literally saved my life, and that’s no exaggeration. After two long, painful years living out of my truck, I finally have a place to call home and have my life back,” Sinatra said. “I’m just one veteran who fell on hard times, but there are so many more like me. Thank you to Mayor Bass, the VA, HACLA [The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles], and all the property owners and developers who are helping us get a fresh start.”
To date, the House Our Vets initiative, which is a core partner with HACLA, has placed more than 750 veterans and their families into permanent, stable homes. Bass, who launched the House Our Vets initiative, has seen its effects as street homelessness has dropped 17.5 percent and the city has recorded its first consecutive two-year decline in overall homelessness during her term.
“Thanks to our partnership with Mayor Bass, the VA and property owners stepping up, nearly 800 veterans now have stable homes,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, President & CEO of HACLA. “This is the impact of a coordinated, nimble government response and the generosity of owners who open their doors to those who served our country. With streamlined leasing and a dedicated online portal, we’re moving faster than ever to get veterans housed – and keep them housed.”
