Nov 19, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Thriving Veteran Housing Community To Be Established in West L.A.

During Veterans Month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has selected a Principal Developer to implement the Master Plan, designed to create more than 1,200 units of Veteran housing at VA’s Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System – West Los Angeles Campus. After a highly-competitive and rigorous evaluation process with multiple responses from qualified local and national supportive housing development and operations teams, VA announced the selection of the West L.A. Veterans Collective LLC as the Principal Developer. This selection was facilitated by VA’s Enhanced-Use Lease (EUL) authority, the West Los Angeles Leasing Act, and the Draft Master Plan of the Campus.

The West L.A. Veterans Collective LLC (WLAVC) is comprised of three well-respected Los Angeles based organizations: Century Housing Corporation, U.S.VETS, and Thomas Safran & Associates. WLAVC will revitalize the North Campus through the development of a supportive housing community for homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. VA has committed to building 1,200 units of housing on the West Los Angeles Campus, of which at least 900 units will be developed by the WLAVC team. WLAVC was selected because together, these experienced, Veteran-led and Veteran-focused organizations were found to have the experience, capabilities, financial wherewithal, and relationships to successfully achieve VA’s goals for the West Los Angeles Campus.

The selection represents a critical step forward in accelerating the development of much-needed housing for homeless, senior, disabled and low-income Veterans in Los Angeles. For decades, the VA campus provided housing and supportive services for thousands of disabled Veterans. Nearly 50 years ago, that housing was converted to healthcare facilities or allowed to deteriorate. With the implementation of the VA Master Plan, the land will once again provide housing and support to our nation’s servicemen and women when they come home.

“As the nation’s largest nonprofit Veterans service provider, offering housing, career and mental health programs, we look forward to breaking ground on what will be the largest housing facility for homeless and low-income Veterans in America. The collective efforts of the West L.A. Veterans Collective, together with the VA and our community of supporters, will forever change the landscape for brave Angelenos who served our country and deserve our care,” said Stephen J. Peck, USMC, President and CEO, U.S.VETS.

“Century is deeply honored to be a member of the West L.A. Veterans Collective that was established to create a vibrant, thriving community for Veterans who face critical housing needs in the greater Los Angeles region. Founded by the Honorable Judge Harry Pregerson, a decorated Marine Veteran of World War II, Century has always focused on providing safe, affordable housing and supportive social services for the men and women who have served our nation, and we are incredibly pleased to work with the VA on this vital project,” said Ronald Griffith, US Army, President and CEO, Century Housing.

“The need to provide a wonderful supportive housing community for our homeless Veterans has never been greater. We are grateful to be entrusted by the VA for this important mission. Our offices have been located in Brentwood for over three decades, just a short walk from the VA campus. The crisis of Veteran homelessness continues to grow. We are most excited to roll up our sleeves immediately and work closely with VA, our West L.A. Veterans Collective partners, the local Brentwood community and our Veterans to create an exceptional community that is a model for the nation,” said Tom Safran, Chairman of Thomas Safran & Associates.

VA’s selection of a Principal Developer is a critical step in accelerating the delivery of supportive housing units for homeless and at-risk Veterans on the West Los Angeles Campus. The Principal Developer will be responsible for assembling a multi-faceted team to plan, coordinate, and execute all development activities associated with the creation of a safe, affordable, housing community for homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families on the West Los Angeles Campus. The Principal Developer will facilitate integration of the various housing developments on the campus into a thriving and supportive community.

Pre-development activities for Building 207, the first asset to be developed by the Principal Developer, are expected to begin immediately. Simultaneously, the Principal Developer will begin preliminary community / neighborhood planning activities for the rest of the North Campus. Once VA fulfills the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Principal Developer can begin the development process for additional North Campus assets to be approved by VA.