Housing for Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Building 208 (Photo: VA.gov)
After years of legal battles, corruption trials, and a homeless Veteran encampment at the VA gates, The West Los Angeles VA campus may finally be ready to provide more housing for hundreds of Los Angeles’ homeless Veterans.
NPR’s Quil Lawrence reports that efforts to repurpose the 387-acre campus to address Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis, which is home to almost 4,000 homeless Veterans by the national yearly count, is finally gaining traction.
The campus, initially donated to Civil War Veterans in 1887, is expected to be a beacon of hope for hundreds of homeless Veterans in the city, potentially making a substantial impact on the nationwide crisis of Veteran homelessness. Located in one of the country’s most expensive real estate areas, the campus has long been a subject of contention, with activists advocating for its use to serve the Veteran community.
Over the years, portions of the campus were used for purposes unrelated to Veterans’ welfare, including a private high school, a golf course, an oil well, and even UCLA’s baseball stadium. The VA settled a lawsuit in 2015, committing to building hundreds of housing units for Veterans. However, delays and mismanagement led to only a fraction being realized, resulting in a renewed legal battle.
Despite the setbacks, recent progress on the campus is now visible, with newly developed buildings providing housing for senior Veterans and those with severe mental illness. Steve Peck, a Vietnam Veteran leading the U.S. Vets organization, is optimistic about the changes, highlighting the completion of over 500 housing units and ongoing construction for more.
The inside of housing for Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. (Photo: VA.gov)
The vision for the West LA VA campus is to create a vibrant community with amenities like cafes, restaurants, and a new metro station, enhancing the overall quality of life for Veterans. While the plan holds promise, skeptics remain cautious due to historical instances of the campus prioritizing unrelated developments over Veteran-centric facilities.
The campus has not only faced external skepticism but also internal challenges in rebuilding trust. Homeless Veterans, previously camped at the VA’s gates in an area known as “Veterans Row,” were eventually brought inside, providing basic huts and 24/7 shelters. This move came after public pressure and media attention, emphasizing the need for a shift in the VA’s approach to homelessness.
The VA acknowledges the need to rebuild trust and address bureaucratic hurdles, especially for disabled Veterans facing obstacles in obtaining housing vouchers due to complex regulations. John Kuhn, leading the VA’s efforts to end homelessness in LA, emphasizes the resources and team available to rectify such issues, expressing hope for a Congress-backed solution.
As construction echoes across the campus, with more than 500 units already completed or underway, the West LA VA campus holds the potential to set a precedent in effectively combating Veteran homelessness.
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.