REP LIEU INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO DIRECT $25 MILLION TO THE WEST LA VA
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) introduced legislation to allow the West LA VA to collect $25 million from the Purple Line easement on campus. The money, which is lease revenue generated from the Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, is not presently directed to go directly to the West LA VA. With this bill, Congressman Lieu and Senator Feinstein are helping to ensure the West LA VA receives the money it is entitled to from the campus leasing agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.
"The West LA VA should be getting $25 million from the Purple Line easement on campus, but that hasn't happened because of bureaucratic and legislative hurdles," Rep. Lieu said. "That is why Senator Feinstein and I introduced this legislation, which will make sure the West LA VA is the recipient of the easement funds. The West LA VA has made incredible strides in helping support our veterans, including those experiencing homelessness, and we're in a far better place than we were before implementing the Master Plan to revitalize the campus in 2016. That said, Congress must be vigilant in ensuring the West LA VA continues to receive the resources and support to serve our nation's heroes. I urge my colleagues to support this effort."
Background on Rep. Lieu's legislation to support the West LA VA:
In 2016, Congressman Lieu and Senator Feinstein wrote – and President Obama signed – the West Los Angeles Leasing Act. The new law allows the VA to partner with nonprofits to build housing for homeless veterans and created the framework for a new Master Plan to redevelop the campus. The VA is now implementing a plan to build at least 1,200 new subsidized apartments, which is composed of 23 projects that range from renovating existing structures to developing and building new units. In early 2021, Lieu and Feinstein partnered on the West Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement Act, which ensures that funds recouped following execution of the 2016 bill go directly back to the West LA VA. Also, 2021's National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision authored by Rep. Lieu that authorizes the VA to use funds collected pursuant to leases, easements, civil asset forfeitures, or other use-agreements at the West LA VA for the development of supportive housing and services on campus for homeless veterans. In 2022, Rep. Lieu fought for and secured nearly $750,000 for the US Vets's Arnold Avenue Rehabilitation Project at the West LA VA, which will fund infrastructure improvements on the campus.