Los Angeles, CA — The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) has reported an unprecedented achievement in 2025, providing permanent housing to 2,191 veterans experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. This represents the largest number of veterans housed by a single VA system in the nation for three consecutive years, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis of veteran homelessness.
The success stems from a combination of programs, including HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development – VA Supportive Housing), transitional housing initiatives, and scattered-site housing placements throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and Orange counties. HUD-VASH continues to be instrumental, offering rental assistance coupled with intensive case management. Since 2022, placements through HUD-VASH in Southern California have increased by over 100%, showing significant growth in outreach and program capacity.
Approximately 96% of veterans housed in 2025 have maintained stable housing, illustrating the effectiveness of pairing physical housing with social support, healthcare access, and employment services. On the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus, 681 new housing units are operational, with additional units under construction. These facilities integrate community spaces, peer support programs, and on-site case management, providing veterans with not only a residence but also access to essential services that promote long-term stability.
The program prioritizes veterans at highest risk, including older veterans, women veterans, and individuals with chronic medical conditions or disabilities. Outreach teams use real-time tracking systems to identify veterans living in encampments or temporary shelters, ensuring resources reach those most in need. Nonprofit partners, including United Veterans Council of Los Angeles and Veterans Village of San Diego, augment VA services by providing transportation, life skills training, and employment support.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Los Angeles County still has thousands of veterans experiencing homelessness, and limited affordable housing, high rental prices, and bureaucratic obstacles make placement difficult. Officials stress that sustained collaboration between federal, county, and nonprofit partners is essential to maintain progress and further reduce veteran homelessness.
Key Highlights:
- VAGLAHS housed 2,191 veterans in 2025, the highest number nationally.
- HUD-VASH placements have doubled since 2022.
- On-site services include case management, healthcare, and peer support programs.
- Nonprofits provide additional housing and support for veterans in high-need areas.
- Continued investment is necessary to sustain reductions in veteran homelessness.
This milestone positions Los Angeles as a national model for coordinated veteran housing programs, integrating permanent housing, social services, and healthcare to support long-term stability.
