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CONGRESSMAN LIEU ATTENDS OPENING OF BLUE BUTTERFLY NAVY VILLAGE HOUSING PROGRAM

May 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2015
CONTACT:Jack d'Annibale | 202-330-1613

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles) spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the Blue Butterfly Navy Village Housing Program in San Pedro, California. Secretary Robert McDonald of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also gave remarks at the event.

"I am thrilled to be here today to join Secretary McDonald and the Volunteers of America (VOA) in celebrating the completion of this incredible project," said Congressman Lieu. "The Blue Butterfly Navy Village is an innovative and much-needed development that specifically addresses the needs of female veterans in the Los Angeles area. Our men and women in uniform returning home from fighting a war should not have to fight to find a safe place for their young families to sleep. The VA has reported that female veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, and I am proud that California is taking initiative to address this. I am very grateful that President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary McDonald have made ending veterans homelessness a top priority. I also want to thank VOA, whose hard work, organization, and fundraising made the Blue Butterfly Navy Village possible."

The Blue Butterfly Navy Village is one of the first programs in the country to specifically address the housing needs of female veterans. The village, which is built on 9 acres of land that has been converted from Navy housing, has 74 townhouses for veterans and their children. VOA spent $15 million to build the village, which will provide mental health services and after-school activities in addition to family housing. At today's event, four families received keys to their new homes at Blue Butterfly Navy Village.

Photos of the event can be found here.

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