Newly created VA senior level post to coordinate Veteran homelessness effort in Greater Los Angeles

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs named Keith Harris as senior executive homelessness agent for Greater Los Angeles to represent the Office of the Secretary in the implementation of the West LA Master Plan 2022.

Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist, will serve as liaison between VA Central Office and the GLA VA Medical Center providing support, consultation, and strategic direction across three major areas related to Veteran homelessness in Los Angeles.

This is comprised of 1) VA campus development and engagement with stakeholders regarding VA’s master plan, 2) Homeless program operations and collaboration with operational partners and 3) Development of a virtual homeless operations innovation hub and dissemination of successful strategies nationally.

“Like the President has said, Dr. Harris believes no Veteran should be homeless,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Dr. Harris has deep expertise in preventing and reducing Veteran homelessness from his previous role as national director of clinical operations for the Veterans Health Administration Homeless Programs Office. His new role builds on his experience directing more than 4,000 employees providing outreach, case management, primary care, vocational services, residential housing and permanent supportive housing to over 200,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans.”

Harris is also a VA national leader in federal and nonprofit interagency efforts to end Veteran homelessness.