Trump orders secrecy on $500M vets housing project at Westwood VA LOCAL

"President Trump's planned veteran housing community in West Los Angeles is moving forward under a shroud of secrecy. The Department of Veterans Affairs is purportedly requiring everyone associated with the project's planning, including employees, contractors and other government officials, to sign nondisclosure agreements, the Los Angeles Times reported. Congressional staffers and veterans and their advocates are reportedly barred from reviewing or commenting on the plan."

"Trump first issued the executive order May 9, giving the VA 120 days to come up with a plan to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by the beginning of 2028 in a so-called National Center for Warrior Independence. The development is planned for the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus. Last week, Rep. Mark Takano, a ranking member on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, convened a so-called roundtable at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles to discuss the plan."

"The VA has included $530 million for construction on the West L.A. campus in its current budget request, though it's unclear whether that amount will be approved by Congress. So far, the House has passed a nearly $1.8 billion appropriation to fund all construction of VA hospitals, clinics, housing and cemeteries across the country. The VA is required to produce 1,200 units of permanent housing on the site as part of a settlement of a 2011 lawsuit, according to the Times."

The Department of Veterans Affairs is requiring employees, contractors, and government officials involved in planning the West Los Angeles veteran housing project to sign nondisclosure agreements, and congressional staffers, veterans, and advocates are barred from reviewing or commenting. An executive order issued May 9 directs the VA to propose housing for up to 6,000 homeless veterans by early 2028 in a National Center for Warrior Independence on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus. The VA requested $530 million for campus construction; the House has passed a separate $1.8 billion construction appropriation. A 2011 settlement requires 1,200 permanent housing units on the site.

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