West LA VA Medical Center housing (Photo: VA.gov)
President Donald Trump signed an executive order over the weekend directing the VA to establish a new housing and care center for homeless Veterans at its West Los Angeles campus. The center, to be called the National Center for Warrior Independence, is projected to house up to 6,000 homeless Veterans by January 1, 2028.
The order tasks VA Secretary Doug Collins with leading the development of the center and presenting a detailed action plan within 120 days. In addition to expanding housing, the center is expected to provide a range of services designed to help Veterans regain independence, including healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and workforce development. These services will be tailored to meet the needs of chronically Homeless Veterans, many of whom face physical and mental health challenges.
“Too many Veterans are homeless in America,” the executive order stated. “Each Veteran deserves our gratitude. Yet the Federal Government has not always treated Veterans like the heroes they are.”
The executive order also calls for other federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, to support the project. HUD Secretary Ben Carson is directed to work with the VA to improve the effectiveness of the HUD-VASH voucher program, which has struggled in the Los Angeles area. As of 2024, only 62% of the 8,453 housing vouchers available through HUD-VASH were in use, largely due to delays and reluctance from landlords. The new initiative seeks to address these gaps and ensure better coordination between the VA and housing authorities to increase voucher usage rates.
The Trump administration’s move comes amid controversy over the past management of the West Los Angeles campus. A federal judge recently ruled that the VA had violated its obligation to use the land primarily for Veterans, citing long-term leases granted to private organizations, including the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, and a private school. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to issue a decision on the VA’s appeal of that ruling. Advocates have long pushed for reforms and better use of the land to benefit unhoused Veterans directly, and this new executive order addresses some of those concerns.
In the wake of Trump’s announcement, some Veterans and advocacy groups expressed cautious optimism. The Veterans Collective, the organization leading the construction of 1,200 housing units on the campus, welcomed the announcement and said it hopes to complete its work before the end of Trump’s term. However, others remain skeptical. Anthony Allman, executive of Vets Advocacy, said the order goes beyond housing and lays out an ambitious but untested vision.
The order also includes provisions to restore accountability at the VA and improve healthcare access, such as reducing wait times for appointments and expanding virtual care services. While the ultimate impact of the order remains to be seen, the directive has added new urgency and national attention to a longstanding issue at the West Los Angeles VA campus.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
