Trump Signs Order Establishing National Warrior Independence Center

Man holding card saying executive order — Executive order inscription. President's law and legislation.

President Trump redirects funds from illegal immigrant services to create the largest center for homeless veterans in America, aiming to house 6,000 veterans by 2028.

Key Insights

President Trump signed an executive order establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence at the West Los Angeles VA Campus.
The initiative will redirect funds previously allocated for illegal immigrant services to support homeless veterans.
Los Angeles houses approximately 3,000 homeless veterans, representing about 10% of the nation’s total homeless veteran population.
The center will provide housing, substance abuse treatment, and workforce reintegration support to help veterans achieve self-sufficiency.
The VA has 120 days to present an action plan for implementing these reforms to the White House.

America’s Veterans Get New Hope Through Presidential Action

President Donald Trump has taken a decisive step to address veteran homelessness by signing an executive order that transforms the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Campus into the National Center for Warrior Independence. The order, signed on May 9, 2025, directs VA Secretary Doug Collins to establish what will become the nation’s largest facility dedicated to homeless veteran housing and care. This ambitious initiative aims to accommodate 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028, with resources specifically targeted at the approximately 32,882 veterans currently experiencing homelessness nationwide, according to January 2024 figures.

The 388-acre West Los Angeles campus, which already hosts a major hospital and medical offices for veterans, will be expanded to offer comprehensive services including housing, substance abuse treatment, and workforce reintegration programs. Parts of the campus had previously been leased to private entities, arrangements that a judge ruled illegal because they did not primarily serve veterans. The executive order aims to rectify this situation by refocusing the entire facility on veteran care.

BREAKING: President Trump to build a national center for homeless veterans using funds that were previously spent on illegal immigrants.

The executive order is another fulfilled promise of the president.

"The new National Center for Warrior Independence will help them and other… pic.twitter.com/SiamfkIvNt

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 9, 2025

Funding Redirected to Prioritize American Veterans

In a significant policy shift, funding for the National Center for Warrior Independence will come from allocations previously intended for services for illegal immigrants. This reallocation of federal resources emphasizes the administration’s commitment to prioritizing care for those who have served the nation. The initiative is particularly critical for Los Angeles, which has the highest concentration of homeless veterans in the country, with approximately 3,000 former service members living without stable housing in the area.

“Under President Trump, VA is implementing a host of important reforms to improve care and benefits for our nation’s heroes. This executive order builds on the progress we’ve made so far and puts us on a path to fixing some of the department’s most vexing problems,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has been directed to use housing vouchers to support homeless veterans, while the VA has been instructed to restore accountability within its system. This includes addressing misconduct, reviewing previous rehiring decisions, and implementing measures to reduce wait times and expand healthcare options for veterans. The department has 120 days to present an action plan to the White House detailing how these reforms will be implemented.

Building on Previous Reforms for Veteran Care

The executive order builds on reforms initiated during President Trump’s first term, which increased accountability and expanded benefits for veterans. Previous achievements include modernizing the VA, implementing the Forever GI bill, and eliminating federal student loan debt for disabled veterans. The current initiative goes further by addressing the specific needs of homeless veterans, particularly those living in what the White House described as “squalor in Los Angeles’s infamous ‘skid row.'”

“During my first term, I signed legislation to increase accountability and expand benefits and choices for veterans in accessing care, and my second term will build on those efforts. The VA campus in West Los Angeles will become the National Center for Warrior Independence with facilities and resources to help our veterans earn back their self-sufficiency,” said President Donald Trump,

Additionally, the VA plans to create a medical center for veterans in New Hampshire, the only contiguous U.S. state currently without one. A feasibility study will be conducted at the Manchester VA Medical Center to potentially expand services. These nationwide improvements reflect the administration’s comprehensive approach to veteran care, emphasizing both immediate housing needs and long-term healthcare infrastructure.

Restoring Dignity and Independence for America’s Heroes

The National Center for Warrior Independence represents more than just housing—it embodies a philosophy of restoring dignity and self-sufficiency to those who have served the nation. The center’s focus on substance abuse treatment and workforce reintegration acknowledges that many veterans face complex challenges that extend beyond homelessness. By addressing these underlying issues, the initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness and help veterans rebuild their lives.

“The new National Center for Warrior Independence will help them and other veterans like them rebuild their lives. The Center will promote self-sufficiency through housing, substance abuse treatment, and support for productive work for the veterans housed there,” The White House wrote.

While the January 2024 count reported 32,882 homeless veterans—a 55.6% decline since 2010—the administration aims to accelerate this downward trend through concentrated efforts. The executive order’s emphasis on restoring the original purpose of the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, which was established for disabled veterans but had fallen into disrepair, symbolizes a broader commitment to honoring the nation’s obligations to those who have served in uniform.