Expands Homeless Program, Building Renovation, Inpatient Care
LOS ANGELES — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLA) posted the Master Plan for the West Los Angeles (WLA) campus, which includes plans to expand the homeless program by renovating buildings on the historic campus.
“Secretary Shinseki is committed to ending Veteran homelessness in Los Angeles and throughout the country by 2015. Though much work remains, VA has made significant progress to reduce homelessness over the past two years under his leadership,” said GLA Director Donna M. Beiter, RN, MSN. “This Master Plan builds on VA’s progress to end Veteran homelessness and ensures that land use at West Los Angeles will continue to put the needs of Veterans first – now and into the future. The West Los Angeles campus is a sacred and peaceful place for Veterans to heal, and VA is committed to ensuring Veterans and their families receive the care and benefits they have earned.”
The WLA Master Plan, introduced for public comment in January 2011, outlines potential modernization projects that provide direct benefit for Veterans through VA programs and services on the WLA campus. The plan calls for an expansion of GLA’s homeless program through the renovation of Buildings 205, 208, and 209. This renovation will create additional opportunities for long-term therapeutic and supportive homeless programs at the WLA campus focusing on the most chronically homeless disabled Veterans.
Other projects under consideration as funds become available include: constructing a new inpatient tower (clinical expansion), centralizing research activities and locating them adjacent to the clinical area, expanding the Los Angeles National Cemetery onto the WLA campus and collocating the VA regional office onto WLA grounds, offering Veterans comprehensive services in one location.
Under the Master Plan, as each existing land use agreement expires, renewal will be determined based upon the priorities and guiding principles established in the Master Plan. This plan ensures that all future proposed land use will be evaluated based on three critical priorities: direct benefit to Veterans, fulfillment of VA’s mission, and compatibility with the community. The Master Plan conforms to the relevant laws in effect on the date of publication. A change in law, such as the Administration’s proposed Civilian Property Realignment Act, could impact this property. If these laws change, VA will update the Master Plan accordingly. In addition, this plan is intended to be flexible and does not provide an implementation schedule, nor does it commit funding for specific projects.
The Master Plan will be available for public viewing Wednesday at www.losangeles.va.gov.
To view the Final Notice available Wednesday visit:
http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-15739_PI.pdf
The Master Plan will be published in the Federal Register Thursday at
http://www.losangeles.va.gov/features/WLA_Master_Plan_Final_Ruling.asp
you have any questions or concerns please contact the VA GLA Public Affairs Office at (310) 268-3340.
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