Los Angeles officials are making a new push to get unhoused veterans off the streets and into housing faster under a new initiative.
The two-pronged approach announced Thursday in South L.A. aims to get more housing vouchers into veterans’ hands while boosting the number of units available by partnering with property owners and landlords. But veterans and advocates are skeptical.
What’s changing
There will be additional staff focused on veterans under a new partnership with the L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ office, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, and city and county housing authorities with the intent of cutting back on processing times.
Officials will also expand the partnership with U.S. VETS, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending veteran homelessness, to help connect people to housing.
“ We have an opportunity to show the whole United States how Los Angeles doesn’t manage veteran homelessness — we end it,” Darryl Vincent, CEO of the organization, said at the news conference Thursday.
The program also aims to make it easier for landlords and property owners to accept housing vouchers and get veterans into their open units. This includes collaboration with property owners and groups, such as the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles and the Greater Los Angeles REALTORS, to boost the number of units available to veterans. The process will be streamlined, and there are enough inspectors and staff to support those who may be interested, according to the mayor’s office.
Anne Russell, president of the Greater Los Angeles Realtors, said many of their 11,500 members want to rent to veterans, but have been frustrated by the slow and complex process.
“ Well, now we’re changing that,” she said Thursday.