LOS ANGELES, Calif. — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is providing three new programs to assist homeless veterans on the West Los Angeles Campus during the COVID-19 outbreak starting April 1.
VAHLAHS' aim is to help high risk unsheltered homeless veterans currently on the streets.
On April 1, 138 beds in building 214, were made available to those in the following categories:
Veterans who are presumed to have the infection and are awaiting test results
Veterans who are positive and need to remain isolated for a 14-day period
On April 4 VAGLAHS will open the “A Bridge Home” that will now be used as a 50-bed facility for non-symptomatic homeless Veterans in order to maintain social distancing measures.
Finally, on April 6, VAGLAHS will start allowing homeless Veterans who are living on the streets to enter a Care, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service program. Showers and restrooms, as well as hot meals from our community partners, will be provided to these Veterans.
“At a time where our homeless Veterans need our services the most, we are working as quickly and creatively as possible to optimize our care and services in the context of this pandemic,” said Anjani Reddy, M.D. MSHS, clinical director, Community Engagement and Reintegration Service, VAGLAHS. “We are actively providing more services that support our Veterans in their pursuit of solid health, nutrition and housing.”
