The VA is supposed to care for loyal veterans who have served their country.
In West LA, however, it seems they have been more interested in commercial gain.
Homeless Veterans Brought Lawsuit
One group of homeless veterans decided to take them on in a lawsuit.
This was because land which was gifted to the nation in 1888 for the purpose of providing a home for disabled soldiers has been used by the VA to allow space for a private school, an oil driller and a parking lot operator, amongst others.
3,000 Homeless Veterans
Meanwhile, LA has an estimated 3,000 homeless veterans.
Whilst the VA has managed to house a number of them, there are still far too many condemned to the streets.
Meanwhile on the VA’s Land…
The Brentwood School has spent millions building a football field, tennis courts and a swimming pool on land meant for veterans’ homes.
The school has also spent around $1 million in its efforts to keep hold of the facilities it has made.
The Veterans Have Won
Now, the homeless veterans have won their case to turf the interlopers off the land so that it can used for its original purpose – to house veterans.
Judge David O. Carter has ordered the VA to build 2,500 units of housing on the land.
Infected by Bribery
Judge Carter said, “Over the past five decades, the West LA VA has been infected by bribery, corruption and the influence of the powerful.”
He continued; “The cost of the VA’s inaction is veterans’ lives.”
Comment from the VA
A spokesperson for the VA has spoken to CNN.
He said; “While we do not comment on ongoing litigation, we at VA are carefully reviewing the Court’s decision and will continue to do everything in our power to end Veteran homelessness – both in Los Angeles and across America.”
First Real Veterans day
The veterans’ attorney commented on the ruling: “Today is the first real veterans’ day in America in a long, long time.”
Meanwhile, Rob Reynolds, an Iraq war veteran, said: “Today marks the first step on the long road of getting that land back to its intended purpose… As a soldiers’ home for disabled veterans.”
Void and Terminated
Judge Carter ruled that the leases for the school, the parking lot and oil driller are “void and terminated”.
The UCLA and Brentwood School will be given an exit strategy at a meeting with the court later in September.
An Example for Others
It remains to be seen how fast the homeless veterans will get their housing after this ruling.
However, other cities and states may see this as an example so that more positive change can be made.
