Money previously earmarked for housing illegal immigrants will be used to house homeless veterans instead, after President Trump signed a new Executive Order on Friday.
The Executive Order will redirect funds for housing illegals to establish the National Center for Warrior Independence, which will be located on the Veterans’ Affairs campus in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has over 3,000 homeless veterans, about 10% of all homeless veterans in the US and more than any other city.
A White House official told Fox News the Center will allow veterans to receive care, benefits and services “to which they are entitled.”
“The Center will promote self-sufficiency through housing, substance abuse treatment, and support for productive work for the veterans housed there,” the official said.
The aim is to have 6,000 veterans at the Center by 2028.
As well as establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence, the Executive Order directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide vouchers to support homeless veterans.
The Order also instructs the Department for Veterans’ Affairs to “restore accountability” by taking action against individuals who are guilty of misconduct. The main target for this provision is thousands of former Veterans’ Affairs employees who were reinstated and given back pay by the Biden-Harris administration.
“President Trump strongly believes that every veteran deserves our gratitude, and that the federal government should treat veterans like the heroes they are,” the White House said.
A week ago, President Trump announced a grand military parade to honour veterans on June 14th in Washington DC, to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army.