Governor Newsom doubles down on California’s commitment to veterans with major new investments
What you need to know: Governor Newsom has championed one of the nation’s most comprehensive agendas to support veterans and military families. Para leer este comunicado en español, haga clic aquí.
SACRAMENTO – Since 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom has invested more than $10.5 billion supporting veterans and military families, championing one of the nation’s most comprehensive agendas to support veterans and military families—making historic investments in housing, mental health, benefits assistance, consumer protections, and economic opportunity.
The recently enacted state budget continues that commitment by investing $34 million to expand veteran services, strengthen housing and benefits programs, and advance construction of the long-awaited Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County.
California has a responsibility to honor the women and men who served our country not only with words, but with action. Since day one, we’ve worked to make California the best state in the nation for veterans and military families. We are continuing that commitment by helping more veterans access the benefits they’ve earned, remain safely housed, and ensuring Southern California veterans finally have the state veterans cemetery they’ve long deserved.
Governor Gavin Newsom
“Governor Newsom and the Legislature have provided the resources, and CalVet is putting those investments to work in communities across the state. Through our programs and local partners, this funding will translate into expert benefits assistance, stable housing and supportive services for older veterans, legal help to remove barriers to earned benefits, and continued progress on a long-awaited veterans cemetery in Southern California. This is how investment becomes meaningful action for California veterans and their families,” said CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin.
Delivering the Southern California Veterans Cemetery: $19 million
- $9 million to construct an access road.
- $10 million in expenditure authority to begin preliminary plans, working drawings and construction for Phase I of the project.
These investments mark another major milestone toward establishing the long-awaited Southern California Veterans Cemetery serving veterans and their families throughout Southern California.
Helping veterans access earned benefits: $6 million
Strengthens County Veterans Service Offices so more veterans can receive expert assistance accessing disability compensation, pensions, health care, and other earned federal benefits.
Helping older veterans stay housed: $7 million
Continues the Veterans Support to Self-Reliance Program, providing housing stability and supportive services—including nursing care, behavioral health supports, medication management, and peer support—for veterans age 55 and older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Restoring benefits through legal assistance: $2 million
Expands no cost legal services helping veterans obtain discharge upgrades that restore eligibility for federal benefits for veterans affected by military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, behavioral health conditions, discrimination, or other qualifying circumstances.
Since 2019, Governor Newsom has prioritized veterans through sustained investments – more than $10.5 billion – across state government, including:
- Expanded veteran housing through Proposition 1 and the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program.
- New consumer protections cracking down on companies that exploit veterans seeking benefits.
- Expanded mental health resources and crisis support for veterans.
- Increased investments in County Veterans Service Offices to connect veterans with federal benefits and fraud protection.
- Historic efforts to help veterans become homeowners and expand affordable housing opportunities.
- Continued support for military families facing federal disruptions and economic uncertainty.
- Signing landmark legislation protecting veterans from predatory financial actors and fraudulent claims assistance companies.
- Expanding access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources.
- Investing in veteran homeownership and affordable housing.
- Supporting military families impacted by federal workforce reductions and instability.
More information about support services for veterans is available at calvet.ca.gov.
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