Today, Explained A tents standoff at the VA
Mar 22, 2023
Anna Scott, a reporter for KCRW in Los Angeles, delves into Veterans Row, a tent city formed by unhoused veterans after the VA's promise of housing fell through. She shares personal stories of the veterans coping with mental health issues and government neglect amid the wealth of Brentwood. Tensions escalate between local residents and the encampment, particularly after a violent incident. Scott highlights ongoing efforts to transition these veterans from tents to stable housing and the crucial need for renewed strategies to combat homelessness in the city.
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Veterans Row Encampment
- Veterans Row, a large encampment of homeless veterans, formed in Brentwood, one of LA's wealthiest areas.
- The camp was situated beside a vast Veterans Affairs medical campus, highlighting the proximity of the unhoused veterans to the very institution designed to serve them.
Broken Promises
- The VA campus had a history of leasing land for non-veteran purposes, leading to a lawsuit.
- This resulted in the VA agreeing to build 1,200 housing units for veterans, a promise largely unfulfilled.
Origin of Veterans Row
- The Veterans Row encampment began during the pandemic after the VA rejected a donation of large tents.
- A local veteran then set up the first large tent on the sidewalk, which became the seed for the encampment.