Several local citizens, veterans’ organization representatives, and veterans gathered last Thursday evening in the auditorium at the Kerrville VA Medical Center for a public hearing on the proposed Freedom’s Path II project.
The new project will add an additional apartment complex to the VA grounds and provide up to 50 more apartments that will provide “supportive housing” for homeless and at-risk veterans. Freedom’s Path I was completed almost a decade ago and has been a big success in providing homes to local veterans in need of safe, affordable housing.
The presentation at the public hearing was made by Kelli Emery, VA Office of Asset Management Portfolio Manager, from Washington D.C.
“The purpose of this hearing is to receive the views of the veterans’ services organizations, local residents, commercial enterprises, neighborhood, community associations, and other interested parties regarding the VA’s enhance-use lease development project,” Emery explained. The hearing was a necessary step in getting final approval for the project.
The VA’s Enhanced-Use Lease Program (EUL) authorizes the VA to partner with the public or private sector to maximize returns to veterans from unutilized capital assets and allows the VA to lease its underutilized land and buildings for up to 99 years to selected developers who then finance, build, operate, and maintain supportive housing for veterans.
“Structures and property will then revert to the Veterans Administration at the end of the lease. This is not a sale of land,” Emery said.
The EUL must be approved by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the developer is required to be in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
Since 1981 the VA has approved 108 of the EUL projects and currently have 52 EULs in operation with 3,583 housing units available to veterans around the U.S.
“The VA can control the reuse and ensure that it meets the needs of veterans better than a sale of property. The VA negotiates the terms and conditions of the lease agreement and will be closely involved in the implementation of the project and ensure compliance of the lease agreement during the period of operation (99 years),” Emery said.
Freedom’s Path II will involve the lease to the developer of three acres of vacant land adjacent to the existing EUL and south of the solar panels on the Kerrville VA property. In addition to housing for veterans and their families on a priority basis, the EUL will also provide case management for the veterans who require supportive services and allow veteran residents to be near the VA health care services.
“Our goal is to reduce the number of homeless veterans and provide supportive housing in the Kerrville area plus revitalize and develop underutilized property within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in addition to generating local economic activity an encouraging local job growth,” Emery added.
She said the developer will use local contractors and sub-contractors in the construction phases of the project.
The apartments in Freedom’s Path I are one or two-bedroom apartments. The new building will be studio apartments for at-risk, disabled and senior veterans at affordable rental rates and include community amenities such as on-site management, fitness/rehab center and a dining room.
Emery explained that the project will use the same developer as was used for the Phase I of Freedom’s Path at the Kerrville location. Environmental studies, negotiation of the lease agreement, executing the lease agreement and final approval from Congress must take place before construction can begin.
Jeff Holt, a Marine veteran who was elected to the Pct. 3 Commissioner’s seat last Tuesday, asked Emery if there was any consideration to “rejuvenate” existing homes…
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