VA ordered to build more homes for veterans in West LA

A federal judge has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to construct approximately 2,500 housing units for veterans on its West Los Angeles campus, following a lawsuit initiated by homeless veterans. The ruling came after the judge criticized the VA for its failure to provide adequate housing and declared existing leases with UCLA, an oil driller, and a parking lot operator as illegal. The land, originally designated for veterans, has been misused for non-veteran purposes, including a school and sports facilities. Judge David O. Carter emphasized the need to return the land to its intended purpose as a home for disabled veterans. He noted that the VA has broken promises over the years, leading to a dire situation for many veterans, with approximately 3,000 homeless veterans in the Los Angeles area. The judge's ruling aims to rectify decades of neglect and mismanagement by the VA, which has been plagued by corruption and inefficiency. Currently, there are only 233 permanent housing units available on the campus, most of which are occupied. Although more units are under construction, progress has been slow due to bureaucratic hurdles. The ruling is seen as a significant step towards addressing veteran homelessness, with advocates expressing hope for a renewed focus on providing necessary services and housing. The VA has acknowledged the ruling and stated its commitment to ending veteran homelessness, while also highlighting recent reductions in the number of homeless veterans. However, the judge's remarks about past presidential promises underscore the ongoing challenges in effectively addressing this critical issue.