Veteran Damian Wright faced challenges when transitioning into civilian life. As a Marine, he served in Kuwait and Baghdad during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. After leaving the service, he found steady work but did not have enough for rent after paying for other financial obligations.
He initially “couch-surfed,” but felt he was imposing on friends and began living in his car while maintaining his job as a mortician in the San Gabriel Valley.
Recently, Damian discovered he was eligible for housing assistance and officials found him an apartment in West Hollywood designated for unhoused veterans. It is one of many units secured through new efforts by the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, to secure long-term leases of apartments and sub-lease them to unhoused residents. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and PATH also partnered in the effort, along with L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net through the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP)
The 43-year-old Damian said he grateful for the apartment because, for one, he can now “sleep fully horizontally” on a bed instead in his car.