The president's proposed budget fails to include any funding for the proposed 'Center for Warrior Independence.'
A 2025 executive order issued by President Trump promised the construction of a "National Center for Warrior Independence" on the grounds of the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center that would house 6,000 veterans experiencing homelessness.
A year later, the president's $2.2 trillion budget proposal includes no funding for the project, reports Bruce Golding in The Independent, and VA officials were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements related to the project.
"During a contentious House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on May 13, Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), asked VA officials about the plans for Los Angeles and if they thought they were 'above congressional oversight,' according to NPR." A VA official said the department is "hard at work implementing President Trump's executive order" by reclaiming sections of the campus that have been leased to private companies. During the hearing, Rep. Mark Takano also pointed out that recent staffing cuts at the VA left the West LA center without enough staff to serve existing residents, let alone an additional 6,000.
Read the full story: Trump promised to house 6,000 homeless veterans. He then budgeted zero dollars to help
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority