Homeless congregate just outside the gates of the West LA VA campus on Friday, April 5, 2019. Los Angeles has the largest concentration of homeless veterans in the country. About one in five of the nation's homeless veterans live in Los Angeles County. Photo by Schelly Stone/The American Legion.

An $11 million boost for homeless veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide more than $11 million in legal services grants for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts by VA to end veteran homelessness.

“Veterans who face legal challenges are more likely to become homeless,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Through these grants, VA is providing veterans with the legal assistance they need to access the housing they deserve.”

The funds are available through VA’s new Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program and will provide legal services like civil legal services that support accessing government benefits, navigating family law, ensuring access to safe housing and assisting with debt.

Some legal services provided under these grants are:

· Providing representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction.

· Assisting with court proceedings for child support, custody or estate planning.

· Helping veterans obtain disability compensation and other benefits.

· Providing criminal defense services for certain issues that are symptomatic of homelessness, such as outstanding warrants, fines and driver’s license revocation.

· Upgrading characterization of discharges or dismissals of former members of the Armed Forces.

For more information about the Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program, contact LSV@va.gov.