Legal battle continues over VA's use of West LA campus
For nearly a decade The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has faced a series of lawsuits revolving around their use of their West Los Angeles campus, which is deeded with the intent of benefitting veterans.
The case has picked up steam in recent months, with Federal Judge David. O Carter ordered that the UCLA baseball field, which sits on the land being leased by the VA, be closed until the school could find a way to make the area benefit the veterans it is supposed to be serving.
About a month later, Carter reached an agreement with school officials to use the area through July 4, 2025 at the latest, after they agreed to pay $600,000 to the VA.
Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals put a pause on the order from Federal Judge David O. Carter, which called for the construction of hundreds of units of housing for homeless veterans.
"I think it's really ironic that this is happening on Veterans Day," said Amanda Mangaser Savage, an attorney representing veterans in the ongoing legal disputes.
In response to a request for comment on the matter, the VA shared a statement with KCAL News.
"The court exceeded its legal authority, and its orders would prevent VA from fulfilling our mission to end Veteran homelessness by diverting critical resources from efforts that are proven to get Veterans off the streets and save lives – including VA health care, permanent housing support, legal assistance, job training, and much more," the statement said, in part. "This would negatively impact Veterans and their families, both in LA and across America, and VA is beginning the appeal process to prevent that from happening."
They further noted that there are 307 permanent housing units open on the campus, and that more than 400 are under construction, expected to be open by the end of 2025. They also offer 150 emergency units of temporary shelter, which provide access to medical services and information on a path that could lead to permanent housing.
Joshua Erickson is one of the formerly homeless veterans who recently moved onto the Veterans Affairs campus in Brentwood in September.
"It's been a rollercoaster of emotions. Mostly low," he said, while speaking about his last nine years of living without a permanent roof over his head.
It's people like Erickson that have so many people working to get veterans the housing they believe they deserve, including former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Let me tell you something. It is embarrassing to see what the Veterans Administration has done over these last few decades, which is nothing, for these men and women that are out there," he said. "How can you let people hang out there homeless. I mean, it's beyond my kind of thinking."
He was at the VA on Monday to deliver pizza to veterans as a small token of his appreciation.
As the legal battle continues, the federal government and the veterans that are suing them are expected to return to court on Wednesday.