New Veterans Homes
Background
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs lists California as one of two states in “Great Need” for additional Veterans Homes. The State’s voters,
Legislature, and Governors all recognized this critical need and responded. Enabling legislation (the Veterans Home Bond Act of 2000, AB 2559 [Wesson] of
2002, and AB 1077 [Wesson] of 2004) has made funds available to develop and construct new Veterans Homes in Lancaster, Ventura, West Los Angeles, Fresno,
and Redding. These funds are the matching requirement to receive a grant from the USDVA State Home Grant Program which provides the majority of the
project costs.
Why build in Lancaster, Ventura, and West Los Angeles?
The USDVA’s Millennial Healthcare Act of 2000 changed the way projects eligible for State Home Grant monies would be evaluated: simply put, new Veterans
Homes receiving Grant funds would have to be located near veteran population centers.
Monies were provided for the construction of three new Veteran Home campuses, two facilities in Lancaster and Ventura, and a much larger facility in
West Los Angeles on the grounds of the USDVA Greater Los Angeles Medical Center. This met the requirements of both the Bond Act of 2000 and the USDVA
State Homes Grant Program. From this initial concept grew the Veterans Homes of California-Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Counties project.
What is GLAVC?
GLAVC is the acronym of the State’s newest Veterans Home project, Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Counties. The full name is Veterans Homes of
California-Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Counties, i.e. VHC-GLAVC. Veterans Homes of California have traditionally been named after the community in which
they are located (VHC-Yountville, VHC-Barstow, VHC-Chula Vista.) GLAVC continues this theme; the three new campuses are located in Greater Los Angeles
County (Lancaster and West Los Angeles) and Ventura County (Ventura).
What is the projected cost of VHC-Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Counties?
The total project cost of all three campuses was established the California Public Works board on December 17, 2004 at $229,116,000. Approximately 60% of
the construction is funded by a grant from the USDVA State Homes Grant Program with the balance (State’s share) being funded from a combination of
General Obligation and Lease Revenue Bonds.
Why build in Fresno and Redding?
Fresno and Redding are both population and healthcare hubs of their underserved regions. The USDVA State Homes Grant Program has accepted grant
applications for both Homes. The Legislature made sufficient funds available in 2004, but required that the funding for the Los Angeles area projects
be assured before development of these projects can fully begin.
More infomation and images about GLAVC (Offsite link)
Construction Webcam at West Los Angeles (Offsite link)