The U.S. 9th Court of Appeals has upheld a significant ruling mandating the construction of housing at the Veterans Affairs (VA) campus in West Los Angeles. This decision requires the VA to provide over 2,500 housing units aimed at addressing the needs of veterans in the area.
Background of the Ruling
On Tuesday, a three-judge panel affirmed U.S. District Judge David O. Carter’s orders while recognizing the veterans’ claims of discrimination regarding housing access on the 388-acre campus. The panel annulled a prestigious private school’s lease on the grounds but upheld UCLA’s lease for its baseball facility.
Key Findings of the Panel
The panel’s opinion, delivered by Circuit Judge Ana de Alba, criticized the VA for not fulfilling its mission to serve veterans. The VA has leased out land meant for veterans, denying essential housing. Judge De Alba emphasized President Abraham Lincoln’s commitment to caring for veterans, stating, “This class action lawsuit demonstrates just how far the VA has strayed from its mission.”
Construction Order Details
The court determined that the VA must construct:
- 1,800 permanent housing units
- 750 temporary housing units
The ruling aims to rectify the situation wherein veterans, particularly disabled veterans, lack adequate access to vital services due to the absence of housing on campus.
Implications for Veterans
This landmark ruling will enable veterans across the nation to file lawsuits related to housing needs. Mark Rosenbaum, the lead attorney from the Public Counsel law firm, praised the decision as monumental for veterans’ rights, asserting it could significantly impact veteran homelessness. Rob Reynolds, an advocate and Iraq war veteran, also expressed approval, stating that the lawsuit was necessary due to the VA’s failure to utilize land for veteran housing adequately.
Lease Controversies
The ruling also resulted in upholding UCLA’s lease while annulling those of other entities, including the Brentwood School’s lease on a portion of the campus. The panel noted that while invalidating other leases, Judge Carter had overreached by preventing the VA from renegotiating leases with these institutions.
Future Considerations
The Brentwood School expressed optimism about working with the VA to benefit veterans. However, Rosenbaum indicated that compliance issues with UCLA’s lease remain unresolved and plans to refile on those grounds.
Conclusion
This ruling marks a significant shift in the approach to veteran housing at the West Los Angeles VA campus, reinforcing the need for adherence to the original purpose of the land. The oversight of previous commitments, highlighted by an inspector general’s findings, has led to renewed efforts to fulfill veterans’ housing rights.
