Livermore Mayor Participating in White House Event Addressing Veteran Homelessness

On June 4, 2014, City of Livermore Mayor John Marchand will be participating at a White House event at the invitation of First Lady Michelle Obama on veteran homelessness.

The “Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness” kicks-off today with a panel discussion on reducing veteran homelessness.

“I will be showcasing Livermore’s unique perspective and significant resources which can provide meaningful and long-term solutions to this critical issue. I will be working with our Congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to keep our Livermore VA Hospital open and to expand its services to our veterans as the need for those services continues to increase.” stated Mayor Marchand. “I look forward to sharing the event’s discussions with the Tri-Valley community.”

The White House invitation came as a result of Mayor Marchand’s recent Summit 
on Homelessness.

Related article: Mayor Announces Summit on Homelessness

The “Mayors Challenge” is a collaborative effort between the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Representatives from each of these agencies also participated in the Livermore Summit.

The National League of Cities is also a partner in this White House effort. 
Marchand added, “Working with the ‘Mayors Challenge’ will allow Livermore to leverage federal resources and develop a local strategy to make sure every veteran in the community has access to stable housing and the supportive services they need to stay off the street. I believe our VA Hospital can be an integral part of that solution.”

Related article: Livermore's Urban Camping Ordinance Explained

For more information, visit http://www.hud.gov/veterans.