Last night a public meeting was held in Santa Monica’s Civic Auditorium to get feedback on the plans to transform the 387 acre Veterans Affairs campus in Westwood, into a community designed to serve Veterans – especially those who have been experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues.
Here is the feedback from Step Up: AWESOME! Let’s go!
Step Up CEO Tod Lipka joined a panel which included Vince Kane, Director of the Veterans Affairs National Homeless Center, Dr. Jon Sherin, subject matter expert for Vets Advocacy, Inc., Ted Winterer, Santa Monica City Council, and a representative from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald’s office, to discuss the impact that this innovative plan will have on the community.
“The Veterans Affairs plan calls for 700-900 units of permanent supportive housing and emphasizes a ‘housing first’ service rich approach.”, said Lipka. “It’s heartening the Veterans Affairs is adapting evidenced-based ‘best practices’ for the site to END veteran homelessness.”
Step Up is working diligently to address veteran homelessness, and has made a Clinton Global Initiative commitment to develop 400 units of permanent supportive housing specifically for veterans in the Los Angeles area.
We continue to lead Los Angeles out of homelessness with a permanent supportive housing model. Housing first works, and changes the future for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues!
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