Robins Kaplan Receives LAAC Award of Merit for Landmark Ruling Benefiting Homeless Veterans

Robins Kaplan LLP is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of just six recipients of the 2024 Award of Merit from the Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC). The firm is recognized for its role in securing a landmark ruling that mandates significant reforms at the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) campus.

The decision requires the VA to provide both permanent and temporary housing for thousands of disabled homeless veterans, while also improving access to healthcare and support services. The ruling voids several illegal land-use leases that did not benefit veterans and directs the construction of 1,800 permanent housing units within six years and 750 temporary units within 18 months. It also mandates enhanced staffing, veteran outreach, and improvements to the VA’s housing voucher system.

This comprehensive reform marks a significant advancement in addressing the urgent housing and healthcare needs of the veteran community, particularly in Los Angeles, home to the nation's largest population of homeless veterans.

“Our work on this case not only corrected longstanding injustices but also provides thousands of veterans with the dignity of housing and access to critical services,” said Roman Silberfeld, National Trial Chair at Robins Kaplan. “We’re thankful for the recognition and remain committed to using the law to improve lives.”