Trump’s Latest Order Aims to Address Veteran Homelessness with Redirected Funds

Man speaking at podium with American flags behind.

President Donald Trump redirected funds from illegal immigrant housing to build the nation’s largest center for homeless veterans in Los Angeles, aiming to serve 6,000 veterans by 2028.

Quick Takes

Trump signed an executive order establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence at the West Los Angeles VA Campus.
The initiative will repurpose the 388-acre campus to provide housing, substance abuse treatment, and workforce reintegration for homeless veterans.
Los Angeles has approximately 3,000 homeless veterans, about 10% of the nation’s total homeless veteran population.
Funding will be redirected from allocations previously intended for services for illegal immigrants.
The executive order also addresses broader VA reforms including enhanced accountability and improved care options.

America’s Heroes First: Trump Orders Major Veteran Housing Initiative

President Trump took decisive action to address veteran homelessness by signing an executive order to transform the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Campus into the largest center for homeless veteran housing and care in the United States. The new National Center for Warrior Independence will be established on the 388-acre campus that currently hosts a major hospital and medical offices. This bold initiative aims to accommodate 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028, focusing on comprehensive support services for those who served our nation but now find themselves without proper shelter and care.

While veteran homelessness has declined 55.6% since 2010, according to a January 2024 count which reported 32,882 homeless veterans nationwide, the President’s administration identified Los Angeles as having the highest concentration of homeless veterans. Approximately 3,000 veterans live without permanent housing in the Los Angeles area alone, representing roughly 10% of all homeless veterans in America. The executive order directs VA Secretary Doug Collins to establish the center within 120 days of presenting an action plan to the White House.

BREAKING: President Trump to build a national center for homeless veterans using funds that were previously spent on illegal immigrants.

The executive order is another fulfilled promise of the president.

"The new National Center for Warrior Independence will help them and other… pic.twitter.com/SiamfkIvNt

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 9, 2025

Funding Redirected from Illegal Immigration Programs

In a significant policy shift, funding for the new veteran center will come from allocations previously intended for services for illegal immigrants. This reprioritization reflects the administration’s commitment to placing veterans’ needs at the forefront of federal spending decisions. The executive order also directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to utilize housing vouchers specifically to support homeless veterans, ensuring that financial assistance reaches those who served our country. The initiative addresses longstanding concerns about misuse of the campus resources.

“Under President Trump, VA is implementing a host of important reforms to improve care and benefits for our nation’s heroes. This executive order builds on the progress we’ve made so far and puts us on a path to fixing some of the department’s most vexing problems,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

Parts of the West Los Angeles VA campus had previously been leased to private entities, which a judge ruled illegal as these arrangements did not primarily serve veterans. The site, originally designated for disabled veterans, has fallen into disrepair over the years. The new center will restore the campus to its intended purpose by providing comprehensive services including housing assistance, substance abuse treatment programs, and workforce reintegration support for veterans struggling to maintain stable living situations.

Broader VA Reforms Incorporated in Executive Order

The executive order extends beyond just addressing homelessness, incorporating broader reforms to improve the Veterans Affairs system. VA Secretary Doug Collins is instructed to restore accountability within the department, including addressing misconduct and reviewing previous rehiring decisions. Veterans will benefit from increased access to care, benefits, and services, with specific focus on reducing wait times for appointments and expanding healthcare options. These measures aim to address systemic issues that have plagued the VA system for years.

“During my first term, I signed legislation to increase accountability and expand benefits and choices for veterans in accessing care, and my second term will build on those efforts. The VA campus in West Los Angeles will become the National Center for Warrior Independence with facilities and resources to help our veterans earn back their self-sufficiency,” Trump said.

Additionally, the VA plans to create a medical center for veterans in New Hampshire, currently the only contiguous U.S. state without such a facility. A feasibility study will be conducted at the Manchester VA Medical Center to potentially expand services there. These initiatives build on President Trump’s first-term reforms, which increased accountability and expanded benefits for veterans through measures like modernizing the VA, implementing the Forever GI bill, and eliminating federal student loan debt for disabled veterans.