Veterans Affairs plans to redevelop west LA campus

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Federal officials announced Wednesday that the west Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus will be redeveloped to better help homeless veterans.

More than three years ago, attorney Ron Olson helped file a lawsuit against the campus on behalf of homeless veterans. The lawsuit has now been settled and Bob McDonald, secretary of Veterans Affairs, announced a plan to deal with the homeless veteran problem in Los Angeles.

"We look forward to the campus being used in a more veteran-centric manner - to better serve the homeless population in L.A.," McDonald said.

Olson said the important thing about the announcement is that it is the beginning of addressing the needs of veterans in a way that will make a difference in the city.

President Obama announced the goal of ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. It's a goal that has produced some skepticism, considering the VA officer in Los Angeles treated 16,000 homeless vets last year alone.

One skeptic was 79-year-old Norma Stone, who said she is ready to help those who are homeless.

"You know what? I'm 79 years old and my legs feel good, my back feels good and I'm ready to fight," she said.

Details of the redevelopment have not been decided yet, but the VA department is developing a master land-use plan for the campus. The first deadline for a written portion of the plan is Feb. 13.