Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Proposition 41 - Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond

As you may recall, Governor Brown signed AB 639 (Perez), which means California voters will decide this June whether to repurpose $600 million in unspent veterans bonds (originally designated for homeownership), allowing it to be used to create affordable apartments for veterans. The ballot measure is now Proposition 41 -- the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014: Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Act of 2014. If passed, Prop 41 will help address the growing need for affordable rentals for veterans, especially those who are at risk of homelessness or are homeless and in need of services, such as mental-health counseling, job training, and substance-abuse treatment.



California has the largest veteran population in the US, with almost two million veterans calling California home—a number that is expected to rise by over 200,000 when the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down. California also has more homeless veterans than any other state, with 25 percent of homeless veterans in the nation residing in the state. To address this issue, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014 authored by Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles). The bond act, Proposition 41, gives California voters the opportunity in June 2014 to repurpose $600 million in existing veterans’ bond funds to respond more effectively to the housing needs of today’s veteran population and their families.
The greatest drivers of homelessness among veterans are the high cost of housing in California and low incomes among veterans. We cannot end homelessness among veterans without affordable housing for veterans living in poverty. Giving veterans a safe, decent, affordable place to live dramatically reduces local and state costs including health care, incarceration, and other crisis services. Also, by building apartments for veterans in need we are creating jobs and generating revenue for the state coffers.
In addition to providing better housing options for today’s diverse and expanding veteran population, Proposition 41, backed by the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of California, Veterans Village of San Diego, U.S. Vets, and Swords to Plowshares, expands on proven and cost-effective supportive housing and service models that will reduce veterans’ homelessness, leverage public and private dollars, and decrease other public costs. If voters approve of Proposition 41 in June, California will be at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to end veteran homelessness.
Proposition 41 is a fiscally responsible ballot measure that will help put a roof over the heads of thousands of homeless veterans. This act doesn’t create new taxes or add new debt to California.


Below source ballotpedia.

Supporters

Officials

Organizations

  • Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH)[3]
  • American Legion
  • U.S. Vets
  • Swords to Plowshares
  • Vietnam Veterans of California
  • Veterans Village of San Diego

Arguments

SCANPH argued in the proposition's favor, saying, "The greatest drivers of homelessness among veterans are the high cost of housing in California and low incomes among veterans. We cannot end homelessness among veterans without affordable housing for veterans living in poverty. Giving veterans a safe, decent, affordable place to live dramatically reduces local and state costs including health care, incarceration, and other crisis services. Also, by building apartments for veterans in need we are creating jobs and generating revenue for the state coffers."
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