The Veteran Housing Navigation Program will place housing navigator teams in each of the county’s five supervisorial districts
Los Angeles County has launched a new housing navigation program aimed at speeding up permanent housing placements for homeless and justice-involved veterans, county officials said.
The Veteran Housing Navigation Program, run by the county Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will place housing navigator teams in each of the county’s five supervisorial districts. The navigators will help veterans search for housing, gather required documents, work with landlords, apply for rentals and connect to supportive services such as health care, employment assistance and veterans benefits.
County officials said the program is intended to address persistent gaps in the system that can delay housing placements, even when units or subsidies are available. The effort focuses on improving coordination among county departments, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, housing providers and nonprofit organizations.
The program operates within the county’s “One Team” framework, a multi-agency collaboration designed to reduce veteran homelessness through shared referrals and coordinated case management. Navigators will work closely with the county’s Veteran Coordinated Entry System, which prioritizes housing placements based on need.
Supervisor Janice Hahn said bureaucratic hurdles between agencies have slowed progress in the past, despite gains in housing veterans over recent years. She said the new program is intended to streamline that process and move veterans into housing more quickly.
The county pointed to the recent case of a 59-year-old veteran who moved from living unsheltered to permanent housing after receiving coordinated support through an interim housing program and county and VA services. Officials said similar cases highlight both what is possible and the challenges many veterans face in securing long-term housing.
Veterans experiencing homelessness can seek assistance by calling 310-268-3350 during business hours or dialing 211 after hours, according to the county.
