Title
Approve a recommendation by the Legislative Committee, to take a support position on Proposition 41 - The California Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a recommendation by the Legislative Committee, to take a support position on Proposition 41 - The California Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act.
SUMMARY
On June 3, 2014, California voters will consider approval of Proposition 41 - The California Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act. If passed, the measure will repurpose $600 million in existing veterans' bond funds to respond more effectively to the housing needs of today's veteran population and their families. Supporting veterans' services is a legislative priority in the Board's 2013-14 Legislative Program. The Board's Legislative Committee has recommended that the Board formally support Proposition 41.
DISCUSSION
Proposition 41, also known as the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014, authorizes $600 million in general obligation bonds for affordable multifamily supportive housing to relieve homelessness, affordable transitional housing, affordable rental housing, or related facilities for veterans and their families. Proposition 41 will appear on the June 3, 2014 California statewide ballot.
California has the largest veteran population in the United States, with almost two million veterans calling it home. That number is expected to rise by over 200,000 when the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down and 40,000 of those veterans are expected to return to California. California also has more homeless veterans than any other state, with 25% of homeless veterans in the nation residing in the state. These veterans will return home to high rates of unemployment and with high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use. Twenty percent of returning veterans will have experienc...
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