New Housing Helps Homeless Veterans
San Gabriel Valley's first housing development for homeless veterans opened Wednesday. El Monte Veteran's Village will house 40 homeless veterans and provide them with supportive services.
"When I returned from Vietnam, I became an introvert," said American Legion Commander Auggie Galvis. "It took a Desert Storm veteran at a VA hospital to tell me, 'Hey be proud. Don't feel sorry for yourself. There are other veterans in your situation and your limits. Get out and help them help us help each other.'"
Developers say they're trying to break the stereotype of what affordable housing is.
"It can be high quality, managed incredibly well," said Damien Arrula, an economic developer.
Organizers said Los Angeles has the highest concentration of homeless vets in the country with more than 6000 people total. They hope this project serves as a catalyst for more housing campaigns.
"We need 200 more of these all around the state at least," said Doug Shoemaker, President of Mercy Housing.
The money for this project largely came from the LA County's City of Industry Funds.
