of like a miracle to create this housing and former mayor ed lee said i want to have this. it's just like an asphalt parking lot and now it's beautiful. the courtyard and everything. this is going to be home for this r them and should they pass away or leave. so the housing stays for veterans and that's part of the magic of this collaboration, the fact that you bring federal subsidies into the city. you bring all these incredible sources, but for investors it's backed up by the public sector so it's a tremendous.

but, of course, all the work that goes in and we look forward to future projects all the community networks. it's all part of the deal. we're all working together on this to make it work. we're kind of that little engine that could. i think we fought the good fight. and part of that's been a big partner with the veteran's administration making sure we protect the veteran's administration as a solid top notch health system that needs to be protected and, if it doesn't, it will be skirted away to private health insurance and we have to stop that and the va's playing a

major role. but it all comes down to how do you care for them. we know the veterans from my generation are sicker and pourer and in worst shape and they need that kind of care. whether it's dropping care. where their needs are. housing. residential treatment beds. we do that. it's crucial outreach that we do. it's ensuring that the emergency hotels that we're active with that and making sure the people that leave the hotels have a place to stay. we like everyone here, we roll our sleeves up and we do the work because that's what we have to do. that's why we have the honor. i appreciate everyone being here and you're all part of this big support. so thanks again.

thank you. >> okay. change of schedule. since we've got the big shot secretary of california department of veteran affairs here, we would like to have vito embossini. you're coming on board right now. hang in there, margie. >> thank you. >> good morning. thank you reverend fong for the introduction. madam speaker, madam mayor and all the guests and community leaders responsible for this project. i'm the secretary of the california department of veterans affairs and i'm here today, may the 4th, there are

too many startrek fans. the force is with us. the forces of partnership. the forces of civic governmental leadership. the forces of community, charity, the forces of philanthropy all here today in this very spot on may the 4th. this is always going to be a great day when we can dedicate new housing for veterans and their families. as we look at this beautiful new facility, the edwin m. lee apartments, i'm looking at much more than a successful completion of a routine construction project. this property is so much more than just architectural drawings and building materials. the windows of these buildings are windows of opportunity for veterans looking to make their path forward more secure. in these ed lee apartments, the walls to them are like burls

that will provide sanctuary for veterans who gave so much in their service to the nation. i see roof tops and all of this is based on firm foundations upon which veterans will not build their future, but flourish in it. these buildings are in essence reflective of the love and respect we share for those who defended our constitution and our freedoms. securing housing for veterans is one of cal vet's core missions which is why i'm so very honored to be here today in addition to advocating for california's 1.6 million veterans, our agency helped to fund this project through our veterans housing and homeless prevention program known as vhhp, a program that we administer in close collaboration with the california department of

housing and community development. vhhp helps to fund the development or rehabilitation of affordable multiple family housing for veterans and their families. and whether it is permanent, supportive, or transitional housing, it comes, all of it, with an emphasis on veterans who are experiencing homelessness or who have extremely low incomes. at a rate of about once a year for five years now, vhhp has awarded more than $357 million to 72 projects all over the state of which this is one contributing to the production of more than 4,700 housing units throughout california, over 2,500 of which are specifically reserved for veterans but still, our work is by no means done. and we still have a long way to

go. over 1,000 veterans experience homelessness on any given day. even though our veterans here only account for 4% of our state population. and what's more distressing, california alone has a quarter of the nation's homeless veterans and over one half of the nation's total unsheltered veterans. so clearly providing a roof and four walls is a great start, but it doesn't completely resolve the issue of homelessness in the long term. we now know what's required to give veterans housing stability, a sense of community, a sense of compassion and the necessary services delivered in a culturally competent matter to support veterans as they address the issues that contributed to their homelessness and that's why we're so proud and delighted to support crowd shares.

their work in providing services and housing to veterans over the last 40 years is a testament and commitment to the dedication to their entire staff. furthermore, the support of their development partners in this project, chinatown community development center and the city of san francisco and several other cities over the years have benefited countless lives and i believe mayor lee would be very proud on how this undertaking turned out. so i leave you with this. this dedication ceremony could only happen because so many of you dedicated your time, your efforts, and your hearts to make these walls of sanctuary, these windows of opportunity, these roof tops of protection, the foundation of so many solid

and promising futures. thank you. >> okay. wow. get ready for the video. we are honored to have margie televera to come up and share her story living here. she's a vet and she lives here. she's going to share her story, but there's going to be a video first. i always wanted to say this. one, two, three, hit it. >> when i was able to move here, i thought i won the lotto. it's brand new. i was like i'm the first person in that. that's a big deal for me. once i was living in my car and often living on couches.

that is difficult when you're independent female. you're saying thank you because you're not in the street, but it breaks your heart. >> i spent eight years homeless, i guess. in and out of homeless. my mother says i wasn't homeless, i just wouldn't be still, but i was homeless because i was in shelters. i was tired. physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually tired. and this place is beautiful. i couldn't believe it for awhile. >> you can't underestimate the value of safe housing for people. i think you've seen that on both sides of the chinatown community. what we've given people here and what they've given us is a sense of belonging. we're starting to see friendships, people starting to get to know each other.

>> when the children come in the courtyard when they're laughing, it just makes you feel good. so i always work out and i see them playing. >> we were tasked with building community when we first opened here. one day a week. one of the veterans volunteered. so if you cook a meal, you're starting to take a leadership role however small in the community. the chinatown community development center offered grants for artists. so the very first person whose piece isn't finished is randal larson. he did a piece that involved the community. one that started is a leather worker. all of these things have a huge impact. the environment being a catalyst for them to start thinking about change that they perhaps didn't think was possible for them. >> when i lived in the shelters, i didn't feel safe, you know, sleeping. but then to come back home,

that's beautiful and it's peaceful. i have a peaceful mind. >> i just look around and say "i'm okay." that's a great feeling. i wake up, i'm okay because i know when i go to bed i'm okay and when i wake up it's like i told you. it's this great feeling. everyone should have that. >> to find that you can be stable and actually mattering to the world, it's happening because you're living in this place. we're starting to see how communities built. veterans are reaching out to each other and when ed m. lee apartments is a place of hope and peace and you can't underestimate any one of those factors in the success of this place in just one year.

[applause] >> okay. margie. give it up for margie. i forgot your dog's name? is it bear? >> "little bear." >> hi everybody. little bear. yes. i heard 17 billion and i went, "oh, wow." yes. let me say first, this is beauty. this is what i see every day from that window and it makes me feel good. i live in an apartment that's brand new. i'm safe and i'm happy. i represent the veterans here and i live with families as well. this is our hamlet and management here looks out for

us and encourages us to communicate with each other and become part of society again. coming from the streets into a new apartment can take awhile to get used to. but to know that now i can make my own breakfast. i can get up when i want. i can sleep when i want. and i feel safe. that's huge. do you know what it's like when someone rings your doorbell now? i'm sure you all know and you go, "hey, come on in." a lot of people take that for granted. now, for us, man, my sister, "come on in." i couldn't do that before. so san francisco, edwin lee, just the name of this place should indicate to you how

great this is. i remember him. he would smile all the time and if you saw him on the street, he would go like this all the time. and i remember he used to always talk about building the city up and he would tell us that and he was always smiling. well, look, look at this. if you want to know who san francisco is, what san francisco is, this is san francisco. diversity, family, looking out for each other. it is about working together. it is a struggle, but this is a picture of beauty. this is peace. this is ours and this is yours. welcome to our home. don't be a stranger. >> you almost made me cry.

bye, little bear. all right. wow. i love it. passion. hope. joy when we need it most. we have anita, mrs. lee, ed's partner in life, and just to let you know, she's going to just say a few words, more if you want. but she drove all the way up -- okay. andrew drove six hours, you went fast, to be here with us. let's welcome her with a big hand. mrs. anita lee. this is for you. i just got it. >> okay. thank you all for being here today. i have to look.

okay. we are all honored that this project has beared some memory of ed. affordable housing was his passion and i know this would have meant so much to him. thank you so much. >> now you got the flowers. we're supposed to sing happy birthday. we need all your help. camera people too. we'll sing happy birthday to mayor lee, okay ed lee. ♪ happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday dear ed lee happy birthday to you ♪♪

>> thank you. i think this is a time for question and answers. i'm not going to answer them. who's coming up to answer them? change of schedule. i'm flexible. >> madam speaker wants to cut the ribbon. >> okay. all right. >> are we ready? margie, you ready? let's do this. five, four, three, two, one! yes!