Bass and McDonough Introduce Groundbreaking Initiative to Support LA Veterans
LOS ANGELES — In a significant development, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough unveiled a pioneering program on Thursday to combat homelessness among veterans, with McDonough highlighting its potential to serve as a model nationwide.
The innovative initiative in Los Angeles focuses on expanding the acceptance of veterans’ housing vouchers by landlords, streamlining eligibility criteria for voucher acceptance, and expediting processing times within the city and county’s housing authorities.
Addressing Homelessness for Veterans
“By eradicating homelessness among veterans in Los Angeles, we can demonstrate to the entire nation how it can be accomplished,” McDonough emphasized.
This announcement follows an August revision to VA benefits that simplifies the process for veterans to access disability benefits and housing assistance concurrently. This change is expected to facilitate the utilization of thousands of housing vouchers that were previously unused.
Prior to this update, some veterans receiving disability benefits were ineligible for housing assistance due to exceeding income thresholds. This discrepancy resulted in over 2,000 unused vouchers in LA, according to Bass.
Positive Trends in Veteran Homelessness
Recent data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed a positive trend in veteran homelessness amidst an overall increase in national homelessness figures.
Nationally, homelessness surged by 18 percent from 2023-24, reaching 770,000 individuals. However, the proportion of homeless veterans declined by 8 percent, with California witnessing a 12.1% drop and LA experiencing a notable 23% decrease.
Bass underscored these statistics in her address, underscoring how Los Angeles has defied the national trajectory and is prepared to serve as a blueprint for other cities tackling this issue effectively.
Advocating for Change
Reflecting on her advocacy efforts, Bass emphasized the importance of federal support in combatting veteran homelessness, particularly lauding the recent regulatory adjustment.
She highlighted the collaborative approach involving governmental entities, communities, and business organizations, emphasizing the tangible progress made possible through such partnerships.
California, with LA at the forefront of the battle against homelessness, has exhibited more promising figures compared to national averages. While homelessness statewide increased by 3%, the rise in Los Angeles was limited to 2.2% overall, with a notable 10% reduction in street homelessness.
