The Weekly Pulse:

Housing & Homelessness: Resources + What’s Happening

Housing instability continues to impact veterans, families, and communities across Los Angeles. This week, we're sharing local housing resources alongside key developments from our Housing & Homelessness Working Group.


Housing instability can happen quickly—but veterans and their families do not have to navigate it alone.


Los Angeles has a network of VA, County, and community-based programs that can help veterans find temporary shelter, prevent eviction, secure rental assistance, and move into permanent housing.


The 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count estimated 2,257 veterans experience homelessness, a 26% decrease from 2025

START HERE: VA Greater Los Angeles

Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless can connect with the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System for housing navigation, temporary housing, permanent supportive housing, and other services.


West LA VA Welcome Center

11301 Wilshire Blvd., Building 402

Los Angeles, CA 90073

310-268-3269

Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM


Veterans can walk in and connect with a VA social worker and receive referrals for temporary and permanent housing.



Temporary Housing Hotline: 310-268-3350

After hours: 211 LA County

HUD-VASH

HUD-VASH (VA Supportive Housing) combines a rental voucher with VA case management and supportive services for eligible veterans experiencing homelessness.

HUD-VASH can help eligible veterans access permanent, affordable housing while providing continued support to help maintain housing stability.


Veterans can begin the referral process through the VA.


Immediate Contacts for LA Veterans:



  • House Our Vets Initiative (HACLA): Call 213-252-4231 or email HouseOurVets@hacla.org for expedited veteran housing placements.
  • VA Greater Los Angeles Medical Center: Call 310-268-3269 or visit the West LA VA Welcome Center at 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Building 402, Los Angeles, CA 90073.
  • Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA): Call 213-389-1500 for long-term case management and supportive services.


Voucher Types Available:


  • Project-Based (PBV): Tied to specific apartment units with on-site support. Quicker move-in without an open market search.


  • Tenant-Based (TBV): Issued directly to you for use with private landlords. Choosing your preferred neighborhood and landlord.


Key Program Details:


  • Rent Calculation: Rent is typically set at 30% to 40% of your adjusted monthly income.
  • Disability Income Rule: Service-connected disability income from the VA does not count against program eligibility limits.
  • Referral Process: Any active VA healthcare provider can submit a referral, or you can walk into a local VA Welcome Center or HPACT clinic

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

SSVF helps low-income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.


Depending on eligibility, services may include:

  • Rapid rehousing
  • Rental assistance
  • Eviction prevention
  • Security deposits and move-in assistance
  • Utility assistance
  • Housing navigation
  • Case management
  • Connection to employment and benefits
  • Legal and transportation resources


Local SSVF providers:


SPA 1 (Antelope Valley):

  • Mental Health America of LA (MHALA) — 661-749-3002
  • JVS SoCal — 626-377-4022 ext. 50188
  • PATH — 213-610-6409

SPA 2 (San Fernando & Santa Clarita Valleys):

  • MHALA — 661-802-8046
  • The Salvation Army - CIS — 562-588-5029
  • PATH — 213-610-6409

SPA 3 (San Gabriel Valley):

  • Volunteers of America LA (VOALA) — 323-657-5550
  • JVS SoCal — 626-377-4022 ext. 50188
  • The Salvation Army - CIS — 213-431-4455

SPA 4 (Metro LA / Downtown / Hollywood):

  • VOALA — 323-657-5550
  • PATH — 213-610-6409
  • Village for Vets — 323-609-9206

SPA 5 (West LA / Culver City):

  • PATH — 213-610-6409
  • The Salvation Army - CIS — 310-694-2035
  • Village for Vets — 323-609-9206

SPA 6 (South LA / Watts):

  • VOALA — 323-657-5550
  • The Salvation Army - CIS — 323-482-3305
  • 1736 Family Crisis Center — 866-249-3350

SPA 7 (East LA / Whittier / Huntington Park):

  • The Salvation Army - CIS — 213-817-0384
  • VOALA — 323-657-5550
  • 1736 Family Crisis Center — 866-249-3350

SPA 8 (South Bay / Harbor / Long Beach):

  • U.S.VETS - Inglewood — 310-744-6533
  • MHALA - Long Beach — 562-832-5536
  • U.S.VETS - Long Beach — 562-200-7294


Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

The LA County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs can help veterans navigate housing benefits and connect with services.



Veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can also connect with the County's Homeless Services Division.


Veteran Services: (877) 452-8387

 Community Partners

Los Angeles has many organizations working alongside the VA and County to help veterans achieve housing stability, including:

  • U.S.VETS
  • New Directions for Veterans
  • Veteran Social Services
  • Village for Vets
  • JVS SoCal
  • Step Up
  • Volunteers of America Greater Los Angeles
  • The People Concern
  • PATH


Housing is more than a roof. Stable housing creates a foundation for health, employment, family stability, and long-term wellbeing.



If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing your housing, or serving a veteran who needs assistance, reach out early. Help is available before a housing crisis becomes an emergency.

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS WORKING GROUP UPDATES:

NATIONAL


Housing First & Federal Homelessness Funding

A U.S. District Judge ruled that HUD violated the law when it attempted to shift federal homelessness funding priorities away from the Housing First approach.


Why it matters: Federal funding decisions can directly impact the programs and services available to people experiencing homelessness.

https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/rhode-island-court-trump-administration-homelessness-funds-housing-first


Invite Congress to See Housing Solutions in Action

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) has released its 2026 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit, encouraging housing organizations to invite members of Congress to tour housing developments and programs in their communities.


Why it matters: Site visits give policymakers an opportunity to see firsthand how affordable housing and homelessness programs impact communities.

https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/2026_August_Recess_Toolkit.pdf 


Rental "Junk Fees"

A recent NLIHC National Renter Survey found that 35% of renters are charged convenience or service fees for paying rent through certain methods, such as credit/debit cards, checks, or cash.



Why it matters: Additional fees can make already-unaffordable housing even more difficult to maintain.

https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/2025_National_Renter_Survey.pdf (See page 12)


CALIFORNIA

Proposition 1: Veteran & Housing Assistance Programs Bond Measure

Coming November 3, 2026


California voters will consider Proposition 1, a $11.25 billion general obligation bond measure that includes funding for affordable housing programs and approximately $1.25 billion for the state's veteran home loan program.


Why it matters for veterans: The measure could provide additional resources for veteran homeownership and housing programs across California.

https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/proposition-1-californias-veterans-and-affordable-housing-bond/


LOS ANGELES

Homelessness Increased in the City of Los Angeles

The 2026 Point-in-Time Count shows homelessness in the City of Los Angeles increased 3.4%, reaching an estimated 45,194 people experiencing homelessness. Unsheltered homelessness increased 7.9%.


Why it matters: The increase highlights the continued need for housing production, homelessness prevention, supportive services, and resources that help people move from homelessness into permanent housing.

https://lamag.com/homelessness/homelessness-may-be-up-mayor-karen-bass-blames-federal-policies


Understanding the Point-in-Time Count

Not familiar with how the annual homeless count works?

LAist created a short video explaining the Point-in-Time Count, how it is conducted, and what the numbers mean.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KJ3rbVme0KQ 


Housing & the 2028 Olympics

As Los Angeles prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, security zones around venues could affect people experiencing homelessness who live or shelter in those areas.

Exact security perimeters are still being determined.


Why it matters: Housing and homelessness providers will need to continue monitoring how Olympic planning may affect people experiencing homelessness and the availability of services around venue areas.

https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/la-olympics-unhoused-people-venues-plan 


Following the Money: United to House LA

The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) maintains public dashboards tracking United to House LA (ULA) revenue and spending.

ULA is a major local funding source for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

The dashboards allow the public and community partners to track revenue, programs, and investments.

https://housing.lacity.gov/ula-dashboard 

WHY THIS MATTERS

Housing is not just a homelessness issue. It intersects with employment, healthcare, family stability, mental health, aging, and successful transitions from military service.



For veterans and the organizations serving them, staying informed about housing policy, funding, and available resources helps us better connect people to the support they need.

Know a veteran who is experiencing housing instability? Don't wait until they are on the street. Early intervention can make a difference.

Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative | 1000 N. Alameda St. | Los Angeles, CA 90012 US

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