HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON CONGRESSMAN LIEU LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT DISADVANTAGED AND HOMELESS VETERANS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
WASHINGTON – December 09, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health in support of his legislation, H.R. 3484 – the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2015. The legislation is currently pending in the House of Representatives and would give the VA authority to enter into enhanced-use leases for the construction of supportive housing for Veterans. This authority would be a strong step forward in the mission to serve the needs of disadvantaged Veterans and end Veterans homelessness in Los Angeles County. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Congressman Lieu testified today:
“As a Veteran, it is a privilege to represent the West LA VA, the largest VA Medical Center in the nation. Our VA hospital does a tremendous amount of good every day for our Veterans. However, Los Angeles County is also ground zero for homeless Veterans, with thousands sleeping on the streets each night. The numbers are daunting and the urgency to provide permanent homes to these Veterans must be a priority.”
“My bill, H.R. 3484, restores the authority to the VA to enter into Enhanced Use Leases solely for the purpose of developing supportive housing for homeless and at-risk Veterans. I am pleased to report Senator Feinstein has introduced S. 2013 in the Senate, the companion bill to H.R. 3484. It is my hope the bills will pass through committee and go to the floors of our respective chambers very soon. Without Enhanced Use Leases, our ability to serve vulnerable veterans on this property will be stalled.”
The full text of the Congressman’s testimony can be found here.
Additional Background
In August, Congressman Lieu joined with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer to urge the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees to support legislative authority to support the VA’s work with local governments to provide housing and services for homeless and disadvantaged veterans at the West Los Angeles Campus.
