Approximately 6,000 homeless veterans live on Los Angeles’ streets.
On June 3, voting for Proposition 41, The Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014, would authorize redirecting $600 million from the existing $900 million of the state funded CalVet Home and Farm Loan Program, passed in 2008, which has not been used.
The original intent of the program was to assist veterans in purchasing single-family homes, farms, and mobile homes, but the funds have been underused. More than 19,000 homeless veterans live in California, which is one quarter of the nation’s homeless veterans. In addition to traditional housing for veterans to avoid homelessness, the measure would also provide housing with supporting services for those veterans with physical and mental challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorders related to their service.
According to the proposition’s supporters, by using the already existing funds, there will be no financial impact for voters. This means there will be no new taxes for Californians and since the funds already exist for veteran use, there would not be any additional debt to California voters. The funding of this proposition, in addition to the building of quality, affordable housing for low income or homeless veterans, will also give at-risk veterans opportunities for job training, counseling and rehabilitation services.
This housing will also be for transitioning veterans who are returning home from service overseas. These veterans may return to circumstances with no homes or jobs and this housing will give them access to the same opportunities and services to transition back to the civilian workforce.
It is anticipated that approximately 45,000 veterans will be returning home in the near future as their military service ends.
Although no formal opposition has been filed against this proposition, there has been some general concern that the funds that are being redirected would go as unused as the original funds they were taken from.
Supporters of this proposition are the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of California, U. S. Vets, Veterans Resource Center of America and John A. Perez, Speaker of the California Assembly. For more information, visit www.yesonprop41forvets.org.
