Twenty-eight projects have been selected to receive more than $116 million to help end veteran homelessness in California, announced state officials.
The funds are being awarded through Proposition 41 and the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP). This is the second round of funding under the program.
The developments will provide 2,124 units of housing, including 983 that will target veterans.
Ending veteran homelessness has been a priority across the country, and the overall rate of homelessness among veterans has declined approximately 36% in the past five years, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Still, there are roughly 48,000 homeless veterans in the nation, including about 11,000 in California.
Fourteen of the awarded projects are in Los Angeles County. They will receive a combined $56.3 million, about 48% of the total amount. L.A. has the nation’s largest population of homeless vets.
Three developments by Mercy Housing California in El Monte, Los Angeles, and Rancho Cordova were selected to receive a little more than $10 million.
Affirmed Housing Group, Century Affordable Development, Domus Development, First Community Housing, Meta Housing, and PATH Ventures are among the other developers receiving awards.
See a full list of the awards.
The VHHP funds construction of permanent and transitional housing for homeless veterans, veterans with disabilities, and general affordable housing for low-income veterans and their families, regardless of discharge status. The program is funded by a $600 million bond measure approved by voters as Proposition 41 on California's June 2014 election ballot.
Three collaborating state agencies developed VHHP: the Department of Housing and Community Development, California Department of Veterans Affairs, and California Housing Finance Agency.
