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Homeless Veterans in LA One Step Closer to VA-Provided Housing

Shortly after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) agreed to restore some of the buildings on their West LA campus, homeless veterans in Los Angeles have scored another victory. Last week a bill went in front of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee requesting money for the embattled campus. The committee passed the legislation.

The bill cleared the way for the VA to spend more than $35 million for homeless veterans. That money will be used to construct housing for homeless veterans on the West LA VA medical center campus.

More specifically, the money will be used renovate Building 209, which will include:

• seismic retrofitting;
• general renovations; and
• converting the building into a therapeutic housing facility.

The day after they approved the $35 million spending bill, the Committee voted to adopt an amendment to the 2012 VA spending bill. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), supported and approved the housing project. Now both bills will go in front of the Full Senate for another vote.

Out of every 10 veterans in Los Angeles, 1 is homeless. Although the Senate and the House still have to approve the bills, Sen. Feinstein intends to stand behind the legislation until they are passed.

Building 209 is the first for scheduled renovation and conversion into a housing unit. Although it will benefit some, it will not house many homeless veterans. This is causing local advocates to push the VA to renovate faster.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.