Federal Judge Orders 750 Temporary Units for Homeless Vets in LA

In October 2024, a federal judge in California mandated the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to commence construction of 750 temporary housing units for homeless veterans on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center grounds. Judge David O. Carter emphasized the urgency of addressing homelessness among nearly 3,000 veterans in the area. This ruling is part of a broader initiative that aims to provide long-term housing solutions, adding to an existing promise of 1,200 permanent housing units that the VA has yet to fulfill. The judge’s decision stemmed from a class action lawsuit by homeless veterans advocating for the use of the land, originally donated for veteran aid. Carter invalidated certain leases on the VA campus that did not primarily benefit veterans, including those for a baseball stadium, emphasizing that the land must serve its intended purpose. Community members, including former soldiers, have expressed hope that these new housing units could significantly reduce veteran homelessness in Los Angeles, which has been termed the 'homeless veterans capital of the world.' Despite ongoing litigation, there is optimistic sentiment that these developments will lead to positive outcomes for veterans struggling with homelessness in the city.