VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Pursuant to the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS), through the Secretary of VA, received the authority to enter into Enhanced-Use Leases (EULs). Under this type of deal structure, the developer is responsible for the costs of converting the building to affordable housing for Veterans and also is responsible for all operating costs. Consequently, VA does not fund housing development and operations since the developer retains those important responsibilities. This model is a known best practice at VA Medical Centers across the country. We are eager to making housing a reality for our Veterans experiencing homelessness.

The recently established Los Angeles Region Community Veterans Engagement Board (LAR-CVEB), to include the West Los Angeles Draft Master Plan Subcommittee, provides a substantial forum for Veteran engagement as it relates to the Draft Master Plan implementation. Additionally, the Federal Advisory Committee, which is currently being established, will provide additional oversight to ensure VA is compliant with the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, and is consistent with the ethos of the Draft Master Plan. Finally, GLAHS continues to engage the community, through various platforms to include Veteran Town Halls, Project Information Sessions, Draft Master Plan Website, and a corporate mailbox for inquiries and comments. While we have many programs in place to ensure continued Veteran involvement with respect to the Draft Master Plan, we are open to discussing new methods and periodically reevaluating the processes to ensure maximum efficiency, transparency, and accountability. If you would like to be notified of upcoming events, please click the “Let Us Know” button on the Draft Master Plan Website Homepage.

While VA cannot comment specifically on legislative matters, we remain committed to ensuring that Veterans experiencing homelessness receive the resources and assistance they need to find permanent housing and live healthy and successful lives.

There is no intent, nor plan, by VA to utilize any available units of permanent supportive housing (PSH) or transitional housing for non-Veterans. Consistent with the Draft Master Plan, Veterans will continue to be the priority population for permanent supportive housing for the WLA Campus. VA remains committed to keeping with the original intent of the land as a place that Veterans can call home.

VA is in the process of issuing a solicitation, which will seek competitive responses from qualified organizations interested in renovating and managing both the Wadsworth and Brentwood Theatres. This solicitation will require a third-party to renovate both theatres, in compliance with federal law and code, and to provide a principal Veteran focus, as outlined in the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-226). VA anticipates that this solicitation will be issued in Summer 2017.

Vets Advocacy and VA continue to partner in a number of ways, to include but not limited to public engagement and outreach as well as continued efforts to revitalize the WLA Campus.

The lease agreement between VA and the Brentwood School provides approximately $1.76 million annually, between fair market rent and Veteran-focused in-kind considerations including, but not limited to: the promotion of health and wellness, education, vocational training, skills building or other training related to employment, peer activities, socialization, and physical recreation. In accordance with the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-226), the monies received from Veteran-focused agreements are remitted locally to the WLA Campus, to support the effort of revitalization as described in the Draft Master Plan.

The lease agreement between VA and UCLA provides approximately $1.65 million annually, between fair market rent and Veteran-focused in-kind considerations, including, but not limited to: the promotion of health and wellness, education, peer activities, socialization, and physical recreation, assistance with legal issues and Federal benefits, volunteerism, and family support services. In accordance with the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-226), the monies received from Veteran-focused agreements are remitted locally to the WLA Campus, to support the effort of revitalization as described in the Draft Master Plan.

This Project Information Session announcement was messaged through email notification to several hundred recipients, through a posting on VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) Facebook Page, and on GLAHS Event Calendar hosted on GLAHS website. If you would like to be added to GLAHS’ stakeholder lists, please click the “Let Us Know” button on the Draft Master Plan Website Homepage.

The LSM for VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) has been appointed from within the Asset Management Team, which is responsible for overseeing all land use on the West Los Angeles (WLA) Campus. The LSM works with the EUL developer and service provider, as necessary, on a regular basis to ensure compliance with Lease requirements and applicable Federal Law(s). The LSM also coordinates the local Fiscal Team, to ensure invoices are issued and payments are received in a timely fashion. Finally, the LSM shares frequent information with the EUL Program Office, which is based in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for EUL oversight across the entire VA.

VA is currently undergoing a competitive Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to ensure that the GPD Model is consistent with the needs of Veteran communities across the country. This NOFA will also take into consideration the need for additional housing for specific populations, to include female specific. VA remains committed to ensuring every Veteran has a place to call home.

The Draft Master Plan will assist VA to determine and implement the most effective use of the WLA Campus for Veterans, particularly for homeless Veterans, including underserved populations such as female Veterans, aging Veterans, and those who are severely physically or mentally disabled. As discussed during the Project Information Session on April 20, 2017, VA intends to enter into an Enhanced-Use Lease (EUL) for new construction on MacArthur Field. A portion of this new residential complex will contain approximately 150 units of permanent supportive housing (PSH), and will include specific units for female Veterans with children.

Building #209, which will provide 54 units of permanent supportive housing (PSH), is the first Enhanced-Use Lease (EUL) on the WLA Campus. VA selected Shangri La Construction as the Lessee in January 2017. Step up on Second will be the Service Provider and will have one (1) unit in Building #209 for an on-site Clinical Manager. Step Up on Second will provide all wrap-around services to Veterans residing in Building #209. Additionally, Step Up on Second has been working hand-in-hand with the local VA Team to review each of the identified 54 Veterans, prior to their move-in.

To request copies of documents, to include Lease Agreements, Revocable Licenses, etc., please submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. For additional information on how to submit a FOIA requests, please click the “Let Us Know” button on the Draft Master Plan Website Homepage.

The maps displayed during the Project Information Slide Deck were extracted from the Draft Master Plan itself, which is available on VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) Master Plan Website. For assistance locating specific maps or images, please click the “Let Us Know” button on the Draft Master Plan Website Homepage.

VA has previously completed a traffic study and an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Building 209. Building 209, which contains 55 housing units, was renovated in 2014, prior to the drafting of the framework Draft Master Plan, and is currently operational as a compensated work therapy/transitional residence. On December 20, 2016, VA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking entities interesting in entering into an EUL with VA for Building 209, to provide approximately 55 units of permanent supportive housing for Veterans. The RFP closed on January 4, 2017 and VA selected a developer and service provider in early 2017. Additionally, VA has selected a developer and service provider for Buildings 205 and 208, which will serve as the second EUL on the West Los Angeles Campus. VA is currently in the process of conducting the required environmental and historic due diligence for this EUL through an EA. Furthermore, VA is in the process of conducting environmental, historic, utilities, and traffic due diligence, through a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the West Los Angeles Campus Draft Master Plan of the West Los Angeles Campus. In accordance with PEIS requirements, and as noted at the EUL public hearing, VA anticipates additional public meetings, to keep Veterans, community partners, our neighbors, and other stakeholders informed and to receive invaluable feedback.

Consistent with the framework Draft Master Plan, which was informed by over 1,000 public comments, and establishment of new “Veteran focused” policies and procedures for future land use activities on the campus, VA’s assessment of such agreements on the Campus is ongoing. For the purpose of the Campus, Veteran focused means: Agreements that result in additional healthcare, benefits, services, or resources being provided directly to Veterans and/or their families on the VA West Los Angeles Campus. For future third party agreements on the campus, monetary consideration to VA alone, will not meet that definition. You can also find this information on the Los Angeles VA Website, www.losangeles.va.gov/masterplan.

VA plans to conduct further traffic study due diligence, and that will be a component of the planned Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the framework Draft Master Plan of the West Los Angeles Campus. In accordance with PEIS requirements, and as noted at the EUL public hearing, VA anticipates holding additional public meetings. Doing so will help keep Veterans, community partners, the local community, and other stakeholders informed, and enable VA to receive useful feedback.

The planned traffic study due diligence included in the planned PEIS will analyze the activities contemplated in the framework Draft Master Plan, and will be a process informed with publicly-available information if determined to be current, relevant, and pertinent to the overall process.

As noted during VA’s November 16, 2016 EUL public hearing, VA plans to host additional public meetings beginning in early 2017, to help inform the PEIS process. As VA furthers that process and develops an overall schedule for commencing, conducting, and concluding such additional necessary due diligence, we plan to make draft/preliminary documents and information available for public comment and feedback, consistent with the NEPA process.

Over the years, VA has periodically modified the ingress/egress points to the VA West Los Angeles Campus and we continue to evaluate this strategy on a regular basis. We will also review this issue as part of the traffic due diligence that is planned as part of the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the framework Draft Master Plan.

The extent and locations of controlled roadway access on the Campus will be one of many aspects considered during the PEIS process and associated opportunities for VA to receive public input and feedback. VA recognizes the importance of the safety and privacy of Veterans that will be residing and on the campus and plans to consult with subject matter experts in safety and security to ensure appropriate consideration is given

VA’s additional due diligence will assess and contemplate roadway usage, potential traffic impacts, and associated mitigation measures relating to the facilities and activities contained in the framework Draft Master Plan.

As discussed in the framework Draft Master Plan, VA will evaluate land use requests to determine whether and ensure that they are Veteran focused if approved. Part of that review process will include minimizing and avoiding undue impacts to VA’s mission and operations at the West LA Campus. For more information on this process, please visit our website www.losangeles.va.gov/masterplan

VA currently envisions that the contemplated subway stop on the campus (if one occurs) will be for foot-traffic, and potentially a “kiss and ride” area, without substantial (if any) parking spaces. VA plans to further examine this issue as part of VA’s future PEIS process, and will work with Metro and other stakeholders to mitigate and abate potential adverse environmental impacts.

VA will continue to explore and identify ways to maintain and improve the safety and security for everyone working, visiting, and living on the campus. The issue will be assessed as part of VA’s planned PEIS process, which will include input and feedback from Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, the Community Veteran Engagement Board, local neighborhood, VA and local police, and other stakeholders. This analysis is expected to include facilitating adequate VA and local police staffing and coverage; implementing security staff, measures, and protocols for the planned EUL supportive housing facilities; and receiving input at town hall events and Community Veteran Engagement Board meetings.

VA has previously completed National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance, a traffic study and an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Building 209. VA is excited for that building to be the first EUL under the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, to provide much-needed permanent supportive housing for Veterans of Greater Los Angeles. VA has selected a developer and service provider for Buildings 205 and 208, which will serve as the second EUL on the West Los Angeles Campus. VA is currently in the process of conducting the required environmental and historic due diligence for this EUL through an EA. Furthermore, VA is in the process of conducting environmental, historic, utilities, and traffic due diligence, through a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the West Los Angeles Campus Draft Master Plan of the West Los Angeles Campus. In accordance with PEIS requirements, and as noted at the EUL public hearing, VA anticipates additional public meetings, to keep Veterans, community partners, our neighbors, and other stakeholders informed and to receive invaluable feedback.

The West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 contemplates that VA will comply with applicable environmental and historic preservation laws, when undertaking actions otherwise authorized in the Act. VA plans to do so, as work continues to achieve a final Master Plan for the campus, and provide needed supportive housing units for underserved Veterans. VA’s planned EUL at Building 209, which would be the first EUL on the campus, and consistent with VA’s prior NEPA due diligence for that building, is compatible with VA’s broader plan to do a NEPA PEIS for the framework Draft Master Plan. By approaching the process in that informed, balanced way, VA will adhere to the law, while using Building 209 to provide much-needed supportive housing units for Veterans within the homeless, severely disabled, female, and aging populations. Those objectives are mutually compatible and are consistent with VA’s goal to continue the ongoing collaboration with stakeholders on and off the campus, including the local neighborhood community. The Master Plan will be final, once it has been determined to be in compliance with environmental and historical laws.