HACLA Houses 1,300 Veterans as Los Angeles Accelerates Progress Toward Ending Veteran Homelessness

Milestone underscores the impact of strong partnerships and property-owner participation

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) announced today that 1,300 Veterans have moved from homelessness into stable housing through the House Our Vets initiative.

The milestone real progress in Los Angeles' sustained effort to end Veteran homelessness is the impact of a coordinated strategy led by Mayor Bass, HACLA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), service providers and property owners across Los Angeles. Each partnership has been essential to connecting Veterans not just to housing, but to a foundation for long-term stability.

House Our Vets was launched in January 2025 to accelerate the housing process for Veterans experiencing homelessness through the HUD-VASH program. Since its launch, HACLA has worked to remove barriers at every stage of the process-from voucher issuance and housing search to inspections, leasing and move-in-while expanding outreach to property owners with available rental units.

"I made a promise to this city that we would do everything in our power to bring unhoused Angelenos indoors," said Mayor Karen Bass. "Our veterans have served our country with courage and commitment, and they deserve a place to call home. Just a few months ago, we announced that more than 1,000 veterans and their families had secured housing through House Our Vets. Today, that number has grown to 1,300. We are making real progress, and we will keep pushing to help more veterans get off the streets and into permanent housing."

"Behind every number is a Veteran who has served this country and a family whose life is being transformed through the power of a home," said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, President & CEO of HACLA. "Reaching 1,300 Veterans housed shows what is possible when we move with urgency and in strong partnership, especially alongside Mayor Bass, whose leadership continues to drive this work forward, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, whose commitment to our Veterans is unwavering. Together with our service providers and property owners, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring more Veterans can move from homelessness into stability."

HACLA has implemented a number of process improvements through House Our Vets, including streamlined application and voucher processes, dedicated staff support, expedited housing placement and parallel processing of unit inspections, rental determinations and owner documentation. These efforts are designed to reduce the time it takes for Veterans to move from receiving a voucher to moving into a home.

Central to the initiative's progress are property owners who have stepped up to rent their units to Veterans using HUD-VASH. One-bedroom units and studios are particularly needed to meet current demand, and by partnering with HACLA, property owners receive guaranteed rental payments while helping Veterans move from homelessness into permanent housing.

"Property owners are essential partners in this effort," Castro Ramirez added. "A vacant apartment can become a home, a new beginning and a pathway to stability for a Veteran who has served our country. We encourage property owners across Los Angeles to join House Our Vets and help us reach the next milestone."

As HACLA works toward the 1,500-Veteran milestone, the agency continues to call on property owners and community partners to participate in the effort and help create additional housing opportunities for Veterans.

Veterans seeking housing assistance can contact HACLA's House Our Vets team at 213-252-4231 or [email protected]. Property owners interested in participating can learn more at www.hacla.org/houseourvets.

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About HACLA

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), established in 1938, provides affordable housing, rental assistance, and supportive services to more than 200,000 Angelenos. Its administrative portfolio includes 164 properties - 13 of which are public housing developments - totaling over 12,000 units, along with more than 60,000 Housing Vouchers and Certificates through the Section 8 program. For more information, visit www.hacla.org.