Public housing agencies $5 million richer
Vouchers will aid in health
More than $5 million has been awarded to public housing agencies in California to supply permanent housing and case management for the state’s 2 million veterans, said Eric K. Shinseki, secretary of veterans affairs. The announcement was made recently.
“This initiative will strengthen our ongoing efforts to eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015 and improve quality of life for veterans,” Shinseki said.
“These additional vouchers are an essential part of our commitment towards helping our veterans improve their health, rebuild their relationships with family and friends, and secure independent living in the community,” said Donna M. Beiter, RN, MSN, director of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.
The funding, from Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH), is a coordinated effort by HUD, VA and local housing agencies to provide permanent housing for homeless veterans.
Homeless Veterans are referred to the public housing agencies for “Housing Choice” Section 8 vouchers to assist with rent payment. Eligible homeless veterans receive VA-provided case management and services to support stability and recovery from physical and mental health, substance use, and functional concerns contributing to or resulting from homelessness.
The Housing Authority of Los Angeles County will get 100 housing vouchers for $867,996; the Housing Authority of Los Angeles will get 200 vouchers for $1,851,912 and the Long Beach Housing Authority will get 50 vouchers for $457,788. The remainder will go to other areas throughout the state.
Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. The VA offers eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
More information about the VA’s homeless programs is available online at http://www.va.gov/homeless.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A coalition representing homeless veterans sued the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today, alleging the federal agency failed to provide stable housing at its West Los Angeles facility for vets suffering from mental disorders.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed the proposed class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles on behalf of four homeless veterans, the Vietnam Veterans of America and Carolina Winston Barrie, a descendant of one of the property’s original owners.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The cities of Huntington Beach and Inglewood will get a total of $6 million in federal funds to support community development and produce more affordable housing, federal officials announced.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also will pay for emergency shelter operations in Inglewood, according to the agency.
LANCASTER, Calif.—At last week’s Lancaster City Council meeting, Mayor R. Rex Parris asked Dorian Jenkins, deputy executive director of housing programs with the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles, if there was a way to confiscate Section 8 vouchers from tenants who did not enroll their children in school. He asked Jenkins if he would look into federal enforcement of state laws requiring children to attend school. Parris said that it would be beneficial for the whole community.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles Southwest College is collaborating with a number of organizations including Hire LA’s Youth and the state employment development department to hold a job fair Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the campus, 1600 W. Imperial Highway in Los Angeles.
The job fair is open to anyone 16 and older and more than 45 employers will be on hand to conduct interviews.
Individuals should come dressed for an interview and bring copies of your résumé and work readiness certificates.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A $1.1 billion, 20-year development project near USC—the largest building project in South Los Angeles history—was approved by the City Council today.
