In a significant move toward addressing homelessness among veterans, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a proposal aimed at ending veteran homelessness in the area, as reported by an email released on November 18. The move, championed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, calls for the expansion of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs' (MVA) role in orchestrating veteran housing and support efforts. "It is shameful that any veteran finds themselves living on our streets," Hahn said, expressing a clear intent to dismantle the bureaucratic hurdles that, have discouraged many veterans from seeking help thus far.
The new strategy is set to build upon the emergency declaration on homelessness issued by the Board in early 2023, that initially set MVA and the Chief Executive Office (CEO) on a path to scrutinize and potentially eliminate barriers limiting aid provision. MVA Director Jim Zenner highlighted the potential to develop a solid framework for ending veteran homelessness, a goal supported by the marks of progress they've already observed, with homelessness amongst veterans decreasing by 22.9% from 3,878 in 2023 to 2,991 in 2024.
With issues of uncoordinated service delivery, fragmented access points, and inconsistent eligibility criteria still at play, the new framework is designed to address these persistent challenges. Sarah Mahin, Director of the Department of Homeless Services and Housing, indicated an eagerness to work with MVA, ensuring that veterans receive the housing and services they have earned through their service. A particular focus is also placed on supporting high-need communities such as Compton, Inglewood, and South Gate–East Los Angeles where Black and Latino veterans face added burdens of unemployment and limited access to VA services.
The collaborative initiative, dubbed 'One Team,' has been instrumental in driving the recent progress, with a 43% increase in permanent housing placements for veterans, a direct result of strategic partnership among outreach workers, housing navigators, and case managers. The 'One Team' initiative, if kept up, could allow for continued positive momentum in the quest to provide vets with the housing they deserve. Moving forward, the motion also includes a directive for various County departments and stakeholders to increase interdepartmental cooperation and the standardizing of data to better analyze housing retention amongst veterans. It also covered the need to assess County-owned properties that would be suitable for veterans' housing, scrutinizing the feasibility of creating a logistical center for emergency accommodations and basic needs, and aligning workforce programs to better integrate veterans into the job market.
Resources remain available for veterans currently facing homelessness in Los Angeles County. For immediate housing assistance, during business hours, they can reach out at 310-268-3350, or dial 211 for after-hours support. More information and additional resources can be found on the MVA website. Strategies and updates on the framework will be reported back to the Board within 180 days, as stated by supervisors, with the expectation of continued progress in the county's efforts to end homelessness among its veteran population.
