Topline:
Two nonprofits in Los Angeles are partnering to help prevent veterans from falling into homelessness.
About the partnership: L.A. City Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles and U.S. VETS have partnered to provide more resources to veterans and their families, ranging from federal rental assistance to case management, as well as career and employment counseling.
Why it matters: Los Angeles could see around 30,000 evictions this year, according to officials at Tuesday’s announcement. Conway Collis, president and CEO of the Mayor’s Fund, said the fund is focused on preventing emergencies, like evictions.
“The fact is that for many Angelenos, including the veterans, they just don’t have the money,” Collis said.
Mayor Karen Bass said veterans often have to choose between housing assistance or benefits. She said the city is working to help veterans qualify for both.
“The benefits would make them ineligible to receive housing assistance, which is crazy,” Mayor Bass said. “We’re going to have to have legislation to change this.”
What’s next: Mayor Bass said she plans to advance federal policy to help bring unhoused veterans inside and keep low-income veterans from falling into homelessness at next month’s U.S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Homelessness in Washington, D.C.
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