[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 161 (Friday, October 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE OPENING OF VICTORY GARDENS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOSH HARDER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2022

  Mr. HARDER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the opening of Victory Gardens in French Camp, California. Upon its 
opening, Victory Gardens will deliver housing and access to crucial 
resources for over forty homeless veterans in our community, thus 
providing a stable foundation that our local heroes deserve.
  Veteran homelessness is an issue that impacts every corner of this 
country, and our community is not immune to this problem. No one who 
fought for our freedom should ever have to spend a night on the 
streets. Victory Gardens works towards solving this problem, as it has 
48 units earmarked specifically for veterans struggling to find 
permanent housing. Victory Gardens will do more than provide housing, 
as the development is focused on helping our veterans with their mental 
and physical health as well. In line with this goal, the community will 
include a garden, common, computer room, and is located near San 
Joaquin General Hospital.
  This life changing project has been made a reality thanks to the hard 
work, collaboration, and genuine care of so many in our community. 
Advocacy for this development came from the federal, state, and local 
levels in the form of letters, official applications, and lobbying. The 
funding comes from organizations and agencies like the State Veteran 
Housing and Homelessness Prevention fund, Low Income Housing Tax 
Credits, and much more. Finally, DFA Development and the Housing 
Authority of San Joaquin County worked together and saw this project 
through to completion. Though the problem of veteran homelessness 
persists, Victory Gardens is a major step towards our collective goal 
of ensuring that each and every veteran has a secure place to live.
  Our way of life is only made possible thanks to the immense 
sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. It is our obligation to be 
there when they need us, and that is exactly what Victory Gardens does. 
I am grateful for the work done by those in our community to make this 
project a reality, and immensely proud to honor the opening of Victory 
Gardens.

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