Appeals Court Orders VA to Build Housing for Veterans in Los Angeles

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal district court ruling mandating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to construct over 2,500 housing units on its West Los Angeles campus. This decision, stemming from the class action lawsuit Powers v. McDonough, emphasizes the VA's failure to provide adequate housing for veterans, particularly those who are homeless or disabled. The ruling reinforces a previous order by Judge David O. Carter, who criticized the VA for leasing land intended for veteran care to commercial interests, thereby neglecting its mission.

Task and Purpose

The land in question was originally deeded to the federal government in 1888 for the purpose of providing care and housing for veterans. However, since the 1970s, the focus of the campus has shifted primarily to healthcare, with many veterans living in encampments around the perimeter. The VA has been criticized for not utilizing the land effectively to support veterans in need.

Task and Purpose

In September 2024, Judge Carter ruled that the VA's actions constituted discrimination against disabled veterans, ordering the immediate construction of 2,550 supportive housing units. The VA's appeal against this ruling was pending until the recent decision by the appeals court, which largely upheld Carter's findings. The court did, however, reinstate the lease held by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), while nullifying several other private leases.

Task and Purpose

As of now, the VA is in the process of building 1,200 permanent housing units on the campus, a result of a separate lawsuit settled in 2015. Despite these efforts, the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count indicated that approximately 3,050 veterans remain homeless, a slight increase from the previous year but a significant decrease from 2023.

Task and Purpose

Circuit Judge Ana de Alba highlighted the plight of unhoused veterans, stating, “There are now scores of unhoused veterans trying to survive in and around the greater Los Angeles area despite the acres of land deeded to the VA for their care.” The VA had argued that the Veterans Judicial Review Act limited the district court's jurisdiction over the case, a claim the appeals court rejected.

Task and Purpose

Critics have pointed out that the VA's leasing of land to private entities has diverted resources away from veterans, undermining the original intent of the land's deed. The ongoing legal battles and delays in housing construction have led to frustration among veteran advocacy groups, who argue that the VA has not fulfilled its obligations to those it serves.

Task and Purpose

Following the appeals court ruling, the case returns to Judge Carter, who will oversee the implementation of the housing construction order. The VA is expected to face scrutiny regarding its progress in meeting the housing needs of veterans, particularly in light of President Donald Trump's earlier executive order aimed at transforming the campus into a “National Center for Warrior Independence.” However, a comprehensive plan from the VA has yet to be released, raising concerns about the timeline for fulfilling these commitments.

Task and Purpose