LA County is home to over 243,000 veterans, according to the last estimate from the US Census Bureau. Many of these veterans reside in Antelope Valley. But while it’s a great place to live, veterans here are not immune to the issues that affect all former service members. Fortunately, the AV veterans community is rallying together to make living conditions better for all veterans in the area. Former military in all sectors, from urban development to education, are all doing their part to increase the quality of life of their brothers in arms. Here are some of the benefits that Antelope Valley’s veterans can now enjoy.
It’s much easier to go back to school now
Antelope Valley veterans who have been looking to go back to school don’t need to look far. The University of Antelope Valley offers benefits to veterans and currently serving military alike. And not only that, they also support the higher education of dependents, such as children and spouses. All you have to do is contact a Financial Aid representative to notify the university of your current or prior service. The same Financial Aid team can also help you through the process of applying for federal financial assistance.
Affordable veteran housing projects are now available
Veteran housing issues are almost ubiquitous among all nations, but recently, Antelope Valley has begun to fight this issue. Several projects are popping up to offer homes to veterans, no matter their economic capability. One such example is Imagine Village, an affordable 75-unit community in Lancaster that specifically caters to veterans and their families. You can be connected to other housing projects by contacting the LA County Veteran Peer Access Network, a newly established outreach program designed to make it easier for veterans to get set up with shelter, utilities, and other benefits. All such projects are meant to be affordable for veterans, but some offer amenities that put them at a higher price point than others. Veterans who need more funding to access the housing options they want are encouraged to seek out military home loans to ease the process along.
Building connections through veteran social gatherings
The Veteran Peer Access Network is now also taking on the issues of veteran unemployment and mental health. While this is a vital task, they can only do so much in the long term. That’s why it’s important that the Antelope Valley Veterans Community Action Coalition is organizing coffee meets in Palmdale. Though it’s a small start, reinforcing a sense of community among veterans can be pivotal for lasting success, and helps veterans build strong connections that they could rely on in the future.
Thanks to LA County’s large veteran population, more successful veterans were able to come together to benefit their fellow ex-military. With more projects in the works, and the newly established Veteran Peer Access Network, things are going to be much easier for veterans living in the Valley.
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