Gov. Brown to Sign Legislation to Help Homeless Vets

Gov. Jerry Brown is scheduled to be in San Diego Thursday to sign legislation that could lead to better housing opportunities for the state’s military veterans.

Brown will sign the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014 at Veterans Village of San Diego, a shelter for former members of the armed forces who are living on the streets.

The bill authorizes a June ballot measure that will allow voters to decide whether to take the remaining $600 million authorized by a bond act in 2008 and redirect it to build affordable multi-family housing for veterans.

The 2008 ballot measure enabled veterans to purchase single-family homes, farms and mobile homes through the CalVet Home Loan Program. The recent recession and shakeup of the housing market, plus changing demographics for veterans, has rendered the program ineffective, according to text of the bill to be signed tomorrow.

The bill was co-authored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, D-San Diego. Other listed co-authors include Sens. Marty Block, D-Lemon Grove, Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, and Mark Wyland, R-Carlsbad, along with Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, R-San Diego.

Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, is also scheduled to attend the bill-signing ceremony.

— City News Service