Los Angeles and Southern California — The HUD-VASH program (Department of Housing and Urban Development – VA Supportive Housing) continues to provide critical housing and support services for veterans experiencing homelessness throughout Southern California. As of 2025, the program serves more than 8,000 veterans in the Greater Los Angeles area, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
HUD-VASH combines rental assistance with case management, providing not only housing but also comprehensive support for mental health, substance use treatment, employment, and VA benefits access. The program is particularly important in Los Angeles County, where approximately 3,500 veterans remain unhoused, often residing in shelters, transitional housing, or encampments.
In Los Angeles, HUD-VASH places veterans into permanent supportive housing units throughout neighborhoods such as South Los Angeles, Skid Row, Hollywood, and Van Nuys. Case managers coordinate with landlords to secure apartments while ensuring veterans have access to wrap-around services, including healthcare, counseling, and job training.
Orange County has placed over 600 veterans in permanent housing through HUD-VASH in the past year. Nonprofit organizations and county housing authorities work closely with VA case managers to provide supportive services that improve housing retention and quality of life. These partnerships also facilitate connections to social services, transportation, and employment programs.
Riverside and San Bernardino counties, which include more rural communities, have expanded HUD-VASH outreach to ensure veterans outside major metropolitan areas can access housing and support services. Mobile outreach teams and community-based nonprofit partnerships help veterans navigate the complex process of applying for housing and benefits.
The program’s success relies on integrating housing with other social determinants of health. By combining stable housing with access to healthcare, behavioral health support, and employment opportunities, HUD-VASH helps veterans regain independence and avoid returning to homelessness. Early evaluations indicate that veterans in HUD-VASH are significantly more likely to maintain permanent housing than those in traditional shelter programs alone.
HUD-VASH is also coordinated with other federal and local initiatives, including Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and city-level programs like House Our Vets, to ensure veterans receive holistic care. By combining housing, healthcare, and social services, Southern California’s approach serves as a model for reducing veteran homelessness in large urban areas.
Key Takeaways:
- HUD-VASH serves over 8,000 veterans in Southern California.
- Combines rental assistance with case management and supportive services.
- Targets high-need neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
- Integrates healthcare, mental health, employment, and benefits access.
- Provides a model for urban and rural veteran homelessness reduction.
