Skid Row Town Hall held to learn of homeless veterans' needs

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An all-out campaign to take homeless vets off the streets is gaining ground, but it is a nip and battle.

"We have heard from many of them that they are frustrated about getting benefits," said Special Assistant to the VA Director, Vince Kane.

On Thursday, Kane joined an array of community partners who staged a Skid Row Town Hall. Fliers were circulated over the last three months inviting former military members to relocate from Skid Row to the Veteran's Affairs Campus in West L.A.

Among those willing to take the bus ride was former soldier Murphy Holmes. He's worried that his mental illness will overtake him again.

"I have had housing before, years ago. But I got scared of being by myself," said Holmes who has a bi-polar disorder.

His friend, Henry, who gives only his first name is a former Marine. Henry says he finally has records in hand to prove that he deserves VA benefits.

"I have lived on the street and sat and waited for this to come to me at a mail drop," said the Army vet who was discharged in 1984.

At the West L.A. VA campus, multiple community organizations provide portable showers, clothing, even cell phones. The vets are connected to VA medical services and housing.

Organizers had hoped to bring in 200 vets. By mid-afternoon, there were 25.

Persuasion is complicated. Murphy Holmes says he accepted help because he just got tired of getting attacked and robbed.

"It has been hard because my meds have been taken. I have fell down. I have been jumped," said Holmes showing his arm in a cast.

The last straw happened Thursday morning. Thieves took his new sleeping bag, his friend's radio and his watch.

The VA staff believes persistent invitations to the trouble vets will pay off. They hope the vets themselves will soon spread the word that the VA is cutting red tape and delivering help.

"We need to be doing this on a regular basis," said Kane. "We need to be sweeping the streets with our partners to ensure there are no veterans left on the streets."