mike ledray / stock.adobe.com
CV NEWS FEED // In a recent ruling, Federal Judge David O. Carter has ordered the construction of 2,550 new housing units for homeless veterans in the Los Angeles area, following significant delays and unmet promises by the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department.
According to a September 6 report from the LAist, the ruling was issued after a trial that spanned multiple weeks and includes a mandate for 750 temporary homes with supportive services to be provided within 18 months, and 1,500 homes to be built within the next six years at the West L.A. VA campus.
The ruling follows almost decade-long delays by the VA in meeting the commitments outlined in a 2015 settlement agreement, which required the construction of additional housing at the campus, according to the report.
The judge wrote in his opinion, “Veterans have seen the government swiftly deploy its resources to send them into conflict, then claim an inability to overcome funding shortfalls and administrative hurdles when they need shelter and housing back at home.”
Carter’s opinion highlighted a history of “broken promises, corruption, and neglect” by the VA, and noted the VA’s prioritizing of land deals with “wealthy and powerful neighbors” of the campus rather than the interests of homeless veterans, according to the LAist.
The LAist also reported that the judge’s decision includes a prohibition on new private leases at the campus, targeting agreements with entities such as the Brentwood School and Safety Park, which the judge deemed contrary to the interests of veterans.
