By Rachel Lampert
Los Angeles has been one of the main cities facing an unhoused population situation. Limited income and specific regulations have made it almost impossible for some individuals almost nearly impossible to receive resources. On Thursday, August 8th, The US Department of Housing and Urban Development that services that are disability-related will not be counted for those seeking a place to reside through a federal program designed for Veterans. LAist reporter David Wagner says. “The move comes in the middle of a federal trial happening in Los Angeles. The case was brought by 14 unhoused veterans who allege the federal government has persistently failed to fulfill its duty to provide housing and healthcare to disabled veterans.”
Not everyone is pleased with the new plan moving forward. Mark Rosenbaum a Public Counsel Attorney says. “It shouldn’t take a lawsuit — and a federal judge’s ruling that found the policy to be unlawful and discriminatory — to end a cruel and insane practice that has kept our most disabled veterans on the streets instead of in housing.” Therefore this is pushing back those who have strived to seek housing and assistance.
As of right now, the plan is to give those a voucher for individuals in need. It has not been announced specifically as to when these vouchers will be updated with the new terms and conditions.
References:
Gerda, N. (2024, July 15). Judge finds illegal discrimination blocks some disabled veterans from housing at West LA VA campus. LAist. https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/homeless-veterans-west-la-campus-ruling-judge-carter
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2024, August 8). Biden-Harris administration expands access to housing for veterans. https://archives.hud.gov/news/2024/pr24-202.cfm
Wagner, D. (2024, August 8). Federal government ends policy that blocked unhoused LA veterans from housing. LAist. https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-veterans-va-west-campus-housing-homeless-hud-vash-vouchers-eligibility-change-disability