[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 102. A bill to amend the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 to 
authorize the use of certain funds received pursuant to leases entered 
into under such Act, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
``West Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement Act,'' which I introduced 
today. Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) is introducing companion 
legislation in the House.


              Background on the West Los Angeles VA Campus

  In 1888, the 388-acre campus that is now home to the West Los Angeles 
VA Medical Center was deeded to the federal government by Arcadia 
Bandini de Stearns Baker and Senator John P. Jones in order to 
establish a home for disabled Civil War Veterans.
  Until the 1970s, the land served primarily to house Veterans, and the 
campus long represented the largest Veteran housing development in the 
nation.
  Unfortunately, in 1972, 2,800 Veterans living on the West LA VA 
campus were displaced after the Sylmar Earthquake caused major damage 
on campus. Rather than repair the housing units, the VA eventually 
leased portions of the property to non-VA tenants.
  Forty years later, homeless Veterans and advocates sued the VA for 
illegally leasing facilities on campus and for failing to use the 
property to support Veterans, as required by the original deed.
  A U.S. District Court subsequently ruled that many leases on campus 
were illegal under the terms of the original deed, and in 2015, the VA 
agreed to facilitate the development of 1,200 housing units for 
homeless Veterans on campus.
  In 2016, Congress enacted legislation that I introduced with Senator 
Barbara Boxer and Congressman Ted Lieu, entitled the ``West Los Angeles 
Leasing Act of 2016,'' to set up an oversight framework for the housing 
development and to ensure that lease revenues from ongoing leases 
stayed on campus.


                          Need for Legislation

  In 2018, the VA selected a ``Principal Developer'' to complete 
housing renovation and construction projects on campus, allowing for a 
more streamlined and efficient building process.
  However, the VA has determined that current law restricts it from 
using on-campus lease revenues for housing construction, maintenance, 
or services. The VA has determined that clarifying language is needed 
to ensure that funds generated on campus can be used for these 
purposes.
  Giving VA the flexibility to use locally-generated revenue in this 
way could significantly reduce the time it takes to get homeless 
Veterans into housing.


                              Bill Summary

  The ``West LA VA Campus Improvement Act'' would explicitly authorize 
the VA to use any funds collected pursuant to leases, easements or 
other use agreements at the West LA VA for the development of 
supportive housing and services on campus.
  The bill would also increase the time period for enhanced use leases 
on the campus from 75 to 99 years. Increasing the length of the leases 
would align with other leasing terms the VA has, and help reduce the 
financing costs for new housing.


                               Conclusion

  Last year, the regional homelessness count reported that more than 
3,900 Veterans are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. It is long 
past time for this land to be returned to its intended purpose: to 
serve as a home where Veterans can receive the care and treatment they 
deserve.
  This bill will help move us closer to that reality.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill. Thank you, 
Mr. President, and I yield the floor.
                                 ______