West LA VA campus (Photo: Anthony Vincent Cruz)
In a May 28 press release, the VA announced it is adding 220 temporary housing units for Homeless Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center north campus.
On May 21, the department issued a request for proposals, or RFP, to build the units on the campus, adding to its push to expand housing, treatment and support services for homeless Veterans in Los Angeles.
Companies are being asked to submit plans through the RFP process for delivering the units by the end of calendar year 2026. The housing must meet clinically driven specifications. Initial proposals are due June 23, and officials expect to award a contract worth up to $30 million by August.
The project is tied to President Donald Trump’s executive order creating the National Center for Warrior Independence at the West LA VAMC campus, which calls for 6,000 total housing units by the end of the President’s second term. VA officials said they want to make the campus a national destination for Homeless Veterans seeking housing, health care, treatment and job training.
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“The West LA VA Medical Center campus lost touch with its true focus decades ago, but that is quickly changing under President Trump,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Step by step, we are moving toward the president’s vision of a campus that provides housing, treatment and training for thousands of formerly homeless Veterans, offering crucial support on their journey back to self-sufficiency.”
Department officials said the 388-acre campus had been mismanaged for years under previous administrations. They said the current work is focused on returning the property to its intended purpose while expanding housing and building the infrastructure needed to support care and training programs.
In January 2025, the campus had enough housing for 955 Veterans. Today, it can house 1,377 Veterans. By the end of 2026, capacity is expected to grow to 1,670 Veterans. By 2027, on-campus housing is expected to reach 2,048 Veterans.
Thousands of additional housing units are also planned in the coming years, but it is unclear if the 6,000-unit goal will be met by early 2029.
Other steps have been taken to return the campus’ focus to Veterans. Those actions include ending leases and a license involving Brentwood School, Safety Park Corporation, and Bridgeland Resources, LLC. According to the department, those agreements allowed land to be used in ways that did not primarily benefit Veterans and underpaid the government by more than $40 million per year.
Campus security has also been increased, and Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team services have been expanded. Those services give Veterans easier access to clinical care, including mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
