(The Center Square) – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass launched an initiative to provide more resources for unhoused veterans. This comes after a regulatory change in the state allowing veterans to apply for both disability benefits and housing assistance. Previous regulations required veterans to choose between the two.
“For too long, too many in government have accepted people living on the street,” Bass said. “I do not accept the humanitarian crisis on our streets, especially when it comes to Angelenos who have served and sacrificed their bodies for our country.”
Bass’ initiative includes a partnership between the mayor’s office, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and local city and council housing authorities to shorten the wait time for veterans to qualify for and receive housing vouchers by hiring additional staff. Additionally, the groups will collaborate with the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, the Greater Los Angeles REALTORS and individual property owners to increase the number of units available to veterans with vouchers.
“We know what it takes to end homelessness,” said Loudres Castro Ramirez, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). “It requires all of us working together, aligning targeted efforts to make rapid connections to housing that bring unhoused Angelenos indoors. HACLA has implemented significant changes to simplify the process for property owners to provide a home for those that have sacrificed so much for our country. By offering dedicated housing locator services to Veterans, expediting unit inspections, and providing incentives to prospective property owners, HACLA is moving with urgency – making housing connections more quickly and creating a supportive environment for Veterans to thrive.”
While veteran homelessness has declined by 23% over the past year – the first decline Los Angeles has seen in six years – it still remains a problem in Los Angeles.
“I was sleeping in my car after I lost my job but then I was able to get connected to services and find an apartment that accepted my federal housing voucher,” said U.S. Navy Veteran Harold Hicks. “I’m so grateful for the stability that having an apartment has provided me. I want to encourage any Veterans who are living on the streets to reach out and get help today, and I want to ask property owners in L.A. to consider being part of this new initiative launched by Mayor Bass and help more Veterans like me get housed.”
Almost 3,000 veterans were homeless in 2024, with about 2,000 of those being unsheltered on the streets. During Bass’ announcement on Thursday, Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, encouraged all Los Angeles residents, landlords and business owners to do their part in helping homeless and disabled veterans find a stable home.
“This effort is not just about housing – it’s about restoring dignity and providing a stable foundation for those who have served our country with honor,” Barger said. “By dedicating additional personnel exclusively to supporting this target population and by removing barriers for landlords to accept housing vouchers, we are creating tangible pathways to ensure Veterans have access to the safe and stable homes they deserve. I encourage everyone in our community – landlords, businesses, and residents alike – to consider how they can support this life-saving work. Together, we can amplify the impact of this initiative and show our Veterans that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”
Unhoused veterans in need of housing assistance can call 310-268-3350 to get started and property owners and rental housing providers can email HouseOurVets@lacity.org to get more information on how to rent units to veterans.
