9th Circuit Halts VA Housing Plans in Los Angeles

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an emergency stay halting the installation of over 100 modular housing units on the VA campus in West Los Angeles, initially ordered by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter as an emergency measure for homeless veterans. This stay blocks both the purchase and site preparation for the units, which were part of a broader directive for the VA to create 1,800 permanent and 750 temporary housing units. The VA contends that the order disrupts its financial and operational plans, arguing that it is already struggling to meet the housing needs of veterans within its existing budget constraints. Veterans advocates have expressed disappointment with the timing of the stay, which comes just before Veterans Day, emphasizing the urgent need for housing solutions. A hearing on the VA's stay request is scheduled for Wednesday, where Judge Carter will decide on the matter. The ongoing legal battle began with a lawsuit from unhoused veterans, challenging the VA's land use and seeking adequate housing on the campus.