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# Give them shelter: VA site in limbo
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/give-them-shelter-va-site-in-limbo/
- Published: 2005-09-17T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:47:51.000Z
- Author: Ryan Hyatt
- Tags: Education, Brentwood, #archive-import, Homeless

*Future development plans to be discussed next week*

BRENTWOOD — Residents concerned about the fate of the Veteran Administration’s 387-acre campus gathered for a town hall meeting on Wednesday, in the hopes of figuring out what they can live with.

Local officials said a recent report prepared by a VA consultant indicates its West Los Angeles grounds could be opened up to extensive commercial development, including medical research facilities or high-rise condominiums. Opposed to the suggestions, hundreds of Brentwood residents and political leaders packed University High School’s auditorium, mustering support for alternatives.

Among the suggestions, Los Angeles 11th District Councilman Bill Rosendahl mentioned Santa Monica City Councilman Bobby Shriver’s idea to turn the VA grounds into a homeless shelter for veterans.

The suggestion earned cheers and applause.

Shriver, who also attended the meeting, was optimistic by the crowd’s response, but indicated much work was needed if his proposal were to beat out plans for commercial development.

“I was excited during Rosendahl’s remarks when he cited the Shriver plan and people cheered for it,” Shriver said. “But I think there is considerable work that needs to be done to make sure the homeless proposal happens.”

A coalition of service providers have agreed to work together in hopes the VA will convert abandoned buildings at its West Los Angeles campus into “long-term, therapeutic supportive housing” designed to assist homeless veterans, according to Shriver’s proposal, which he presented to local leaders at a meeting in August.

Santa Monica staff participated in a May 6 meeting hosted by the VA, when officials discussed alternative uses for several VA sites around the country, including the West LA campus. The proposal intends to take advantage of the existing facility in order to provide “all services on site” for the homeless veterans, including medical, psychological and social assistance.

The project would accommodate as many as 300 to 500 chronically homeless veterans, as well as those with other needs, such as those dealing with mental illness or are suffering from substance abuse. It’s the coalition’s intent that half of the veterans served are chronically homeless — those who have been without shelter for at least three years.

The number of homeless veterans in Los Angeles County is estimated to be between 17,000 and 18,000, based on a recent head count.

The project would be financed from the five participating organizations, which include the U.S. VETS, New Directions, Inc., and the Salvation Army. Primary sources of funding are expected to come from federal, state and local grants, as well as private donations. The proposal doesn’t state how much the project might cost.

Officials say developers at the moment seem to have the inside track on the VA grounds. The VA, which is undertaking a national overhaul to renovate many of its under-utilized facilities, may be looking to bolster revenue for its operations by the liquidation of some of its properties, officials said.

Some officials have noted Shriver’s homeless plan has merits that outweigh possible development scenarios, since it would involve servicing veterans.

Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Santa Monica), whose district includes the site of the VA grounds, said he’s looking into Shriver’s proposal, but believes the issue must ultimately be addressed by the community.

“We’re aware of the project and the need for homeless vets, but at this point, this is a conversation that has to take place at the local level,” Waxman said.

To convince VA officials that a homeless facility would make sense, Shriver is asking local leaders to speak on behalf of his proposal during a community input session to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Wadsworth Center, located on the 11300 block of Wilshire Boulevard, in Brentwood.

That’s when the VA will consider what to do with its abandoned and under-used buildings.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 17, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091705.pdf?ref=smdp.com)