Veterans Village of San Diego Completes Phase Two of Rehabilitation Facility for Homeless U.S. Vets

Sept. 15, 2009 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) has completed the construction of Phase Two of its rehabilitation center for homeless military veterans suffering from chemical dependency or mental health issues. This phase of the project adds 112 early treatment beds, a medical facility, an employment center and administration building to better serve those in need. VVSD offers a state-licensed alcohol and drug treatment center and takes a multi-service approach to treatment including: recovery services, employment development and community reintegration.

VVSD is headquartered at 4141 Pacific Highway, on a five-acre site provided by the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency. Since that time, the Redevelopment Agency has also contributed $8.1 million to the project. The VVSD redevelopment project replaces the original 80-bed Veterans Village facility with a state-of-the-art rehabilitation and transition center.

“The Redevelopment Agency has been the perfect partner,” said Phil Landis, VVSD CEO. “Their generous contributions, and the contributions of others, have made it possible for us to rehabilitate and assist our homeless veterans in leading productive, independent lives.”

Other organizations offering financial support for this important facility include: the Veterans Administration, the California Emergency Housing Assistance Program, Federal Home Loan Bank, San Diego Housing Commission, Federal Community Development Block Grant funds, AB 936 Health Care Grant, the County of San Diego, Centre City Development Corporation and a number of private donors.

VVSD programs have been very successful in treating veterans with substance abuse and mental health issues. Fifty-five percent of residents successfully complete long-term drug and alcohol treatment program compared to the national average of 38 percent. This success is based in large part on VVSD offering the most comprehensive veteran assistance program in the country.


Sandy Borum, a program graduate said, “Without the help I received from Veterans Village, I’d probably be in prison—or worse.” In 1999, Borum was sentenced by a judge to spend 365 days at the facility as an alternative to prison. She is now VVSD’s Director of Development and part of the organization’s executive staff. “The programs here allow you to have dreams—and then teach you how to achieve those dreams.” Borum is currently working on a graduate degree in Organizational Management.

Construction on Phase Three, the final phase of the estimated $26 million project, began in July 2009. This phase of the development will add 96 transitional beds, 125 parking spaces and a storage warehouse.

About the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Diego
The Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Diego, created by the City Council in 1958, uses special legal and financial mechanisms to eliminate blight and improve economic and physical conditions in designated areas of the City. The Agency’s purview encompasses 17 project areas, study areas and affordable housing. Activities within the project areas are carried out by the city’s Redevelopment Division and two public, nonprofit city corporations: Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) and Southeastern Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).  The Agency also administers seven Project Area Committees (PAC) that advise the agency on the adoption of redevelopment plans and implementing redevelopment projects. For more information, visit: http://www.sandiego.gov/redevelopment-agency/

About Veterans Village
Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), also known as Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, is dedicated to assisting needy and homeless veterans of all wars and their families by providing housing, food, clothing, substance abuse recovery and mental health counseling, job training and job search assistance. Veterans Village is San Diego’s largest non-profit social service provider for veterans and offers a wide array of services including residential services, non-residential services, and employment and training. For more information, visit http://www.vvsd.net.