Trial Begins for Veterans Housing Lawsuit Against VA
- A lawsuit alleging that the Department of Veterans Affairs inadequately maintained housing for disabled veterans is set to go to trial.
- The trial raises serious concerns about the living conditions provided to veterans.
- The case highlights ongoing issues within the VA system and its responsibilities towards disabled veterans.
A federal judge recently ruled that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) discriminates against homeless veterans whose disability compensation disqualifies them from housing on the West Los Angeles campus. In a brief, attorneys for the veterans requested an order for nearly 4,000 units of permanent supportive housing, while the Justice Department argued against this, claiming it would impose an undue burden on the VA. The VA's draft master plan from 2016 proposed 1,200 housing units, but progress has been slow, with only a fraction completed by the end of 2022. The West Los Angeles campus, originally established in 1888 as a home for Civil War veterans, has undergone significant changes over the years. Following World War II, the campus transitioned into a medical center, leading to the deterioration of older buildings as many veterans relocated. In May, the judge certified a class action representing homeless veterans with serious mental illnesses or traumatic brain injuries in Los Angeles County, highlighting their struggles with inadequate housing and healthcare access. The judge noted that the lack of permanent supportive housing forces these veterans into a cycle of temporary accommodations and institutional care. Concerns were raised about the potential stigmatization of housing veterans with disabilities on the campus, which could further isolate them from the community. A 2021 VA report indicated that several land-use leases, including those with local schools and oil operators, did not comply with the West Los Angeles Leasing Act, raising questions about the VA's commitment to providing adequate housing. Bridgeland Resources LLC, which operates under a lease allowing oil drilling on VA property, intervened in the case, asserting that their lease complies with the law by providing funds for veteran transportation. They warned that invalidating their lease could lead to the reactivation of earlier agreements, which would also be deemed non-compliant. Meanwhile, representatives from UCLA and the Brentwood School have refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal situation.