Anger motivates developer to purchase 3 apartments building to house homeless vets

[SunSeeker]

23. Looks like you can thank HUD for this, which Romney wants to dismantle.

According to the article: "So far, 25 veterans are being housed through Serene Haven. Rents for the veterans are subsidized by vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program."

Heslin bought the apartment buildings, but he's not giving the apartments away. He's getting market rent for them, subsidized by HUD and the VA. That's guaranteed rent--hardly a risky investment. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he makes money off those buildings. I hope he does--it might encourage more of this.

What is sad is that when people actually GIVE property to house vets, there have been instances where the vets still aren't allowed to live there, especially if the property happens to be a beautiful area, like the VA property next to Brentwood in Los Angeles (see below article). Heslin's three apartments are in pretty marginal neighborhoods, so he had no pushback. I see he's trying to buy some apartments in Orange County. Good luck with the NIMBYs--Orange County Republicans are the worst.


Homeless Veterans' Lawsuit Against VA In West Los Angeles Moves Forward

3-28-2012

A lawsuit filed by a group of homeless veterans accusing VA of failing to build promised permanent housing on its West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus is moving forward after a federal judge refused the government’s request to dismiss the suit.

This came after mediation talks between VA and the veterans’ advocates broke down, prompting the plaintiffs to ask U.S. District Judge James Otero to either rule on VA’s motion to dismiss the suit or let the case go to trial in June.

The lawsuit was filed last summer by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of the veterans, alleging that VA had failed to use its large West Los Angeles campus for its intended purpose. The 387 acres were donated to the government in 1888 with the intention that it be used to provide care and permanent housing for veterans. According to the ACLU suit, VA has, over time, strayed from that original purpose. Large portions of the property have been given over to private social services and a number of private companies, including a rental car company.

Los Angeles has the highest reported number of homeless veterans. They make up over 8,000 of the city’s nearly 50,000 homeless.

The lawsuit also contends that VA’s benefits program discriminates against veterans with severe mental disabilities. Without stable living conditions, these veterans cannot access the necessary medical and mental health services they need. And VA has refused to offer supportive housing to the plaintiffs and other disabled veterans in Los Angeles, the ACLU said.

“This lawsuit exposes the truth of how the VA’s policies exclude veterans with serious mental disabilities,” said Melissa Tyner, a staff attorney with Inner City Law Center’s Homeless Veterans Project when the suit was filed last year. “Rather than honoring their sacrifice, VA policies deny access to needed services. As a result, many veterans become homeless.”

http://www.usmedicine.com/news/2012/03/28/homeless-veterans-lawsuit-against-va-in-west-los-angeles-moves-forward.html