California Governor Gavin Newsom has highlighted more than $10.5 billion in state government investments supporting military personnel, veterans and their families since 2019.
In a Veterans Day announcement issued on November 11, 2026, Newsom outlined measures taken to expand affordable housing, improve access to mental healthcare, protect veterans’ benefits, modernise long-term care and increase educational opportunities.
California is home to nearly 1.5 million veterans and has one of the largest veteran populations in the United States.
Newsom said the state had expanded services across government agencies to address the needs of veterans and their families, with investments intended to strengthen support systems for current and future generations.
“California has more military bases, more active duty, among the largest National Guard, and one of the largest veteran populations in the nation — and we’re determined to show up for each and every one of them,” the governor said.
He added that the state’s efforts included housing, healthcare and protection of benefits earned through military service.
More Than 100,000 Mental Health Appointments Planned
The state has expanded access to community-based healthcare through the California Veterans Health Initiative, established in 2022.
The programme works with community partners to increase access to veteran-focused behavioural healthcare and aims to support the provision of 100,000 free mental health appointments over three years.
The appointments are available regardless of a veteran’s age, period or type of service, discharge status or disability rating.
As of October 2026, participating organisations were providing an average of more than 5,500 no-cost clinical appointments to veterans and their families every quarter.
California has also committed $4.7 million to improve veterans’ access to clinical trials involving psychedelic-assisted therapy.
In addition, Proposition 1, a $6.4 billion behavioural health bond approved by voters in 2024, is funding housing, treatment and services for veterans and people experiencing homelessness.
Eight Veterans Homes Receive Healthcare Infrastructure Upgrades
California operates eight Veterans Homes serving more than 1,500 residents, including ageing veterans and people requiring specialised care.
The state has completed the deployment of its CalVet Electronic Health Record system across all eight facilities. The system is intended to modernise clinical and administrative operations and improve continuity of care.
Construction is also progressing on a new 240-bed skilled nursing and memory care facility at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville.
The development will replace an existing building dating back to the Depression era and provide updated accommodation and specialised services for veterans requiring nursing and memory care.
Thousands of Housing Units Created for Veterans
California has expanded several housing programmes aimed at veterans experiencing homelessness or seeking affordable homeownership.
Through the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program, the state has financed more than 6,500 housing units, including 3,418 designated for veterans.
Another 57 Homekey+ projects have created nearly 3,000 affordable homes, with more than 800 reserved specifically for veterans.
Homekey+ funding includes more than $2.1 billion from Proposition 1 and supports local communities in developing permanent supportive housing with additional services. Approximately half of the programme’s funding is reserved for projects serving veterans.
The CalVet Home Loan Program has also supported nearly 450,000 veterans in purchasing homes.
California has further established the Veterans Support to Self-Reliance pilot programme for veterans aged 55 and older who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their housing.
The initiative combines permanent supportive accommodation with nursing care, behavioural health services, medication management, peer support and other individual assistance.
The state is also maintaining its lending capacity for future eligible veterans through a $1.25 billion bond authorised under Proposition 1.
State Expands Outreach to Underserved Veteran Communities
California has introduced additional measures to improve access to services among veterans who may face difficulties obtaining benefits or healthcare.
Tribal Veteran Mental Health Summits were held in 2025 and 2026, bringing together tribal leaders, Native American veterans, healthcare providers and government representatives to discuss behavioural health and suicide prevention.
The state has also assisted LGBTQ veterans discharged under the military’s former “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy with updating their records and accessing education, healthcare, burial and other benefits available to honourably discharged service members.
In 2025, California established a cross-department outreach structure involving Veterans Services, Women Veterans, Minority Veterans and Communications to improve coordination and reach more veterans.
The state reported a 20 per cent increase in webinars, workshops and community events targeting underserved groups.
Thousands of women veterans across all 58 California counties have also been surveyed to identify challenges involving benefits, healthcare, housing, financial security, safety and caregiving.
Additionally, more than 800 veterans and family members have received assistance with steps towards naturalised US citizenship.
Veterans Receive Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Additional Benefits
California’s statewide benefits assistance network helped veterans file more than 317,000 claims during the 2025–26 financial year.
The claims generated an estimated $736 million in new or increased federal benefits for veterans and their families.
The state has also strengthened County Veterans Service Offices through additional funding included in the 2026 Budget Act and legislation intended to make qualified assistance more accessible within local communities.
More than 12,000 veterans have received support through the California Transition Assistance Program, which informs separating service members and veterans about their benefits and connects them with local service providers.
Eligible veterans can also have the word “VETERAN” added to their driver’s licences or identification cards, making it easier to access certain benefits and privileges without carrying their military discharge documents.
California Introduces Measures to Protect Veterans and Their Families
The Newsom administration said it had taken steps to protect veterans from companies accused of exploiting people seeking assistance with federal benefits.
The state has increased efforts to address predatory financial practices and fraudulent claims assistance businesses targeting military personnel and veterans.
California has also supported LGBTQ service members discharged following President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military by providing housing, employment and assistance with the transition to civilian life.
The state has further worked to expand reproductive healthcare access for veterans, including abortion care, following changes to federal policies.
During wildfires and other emergencies, CalVet’s regional network has helped veterans and their families replace military and federal records, restore access to prescriptions and benefits, and connect with emergency and county services.
During the Los Angeles wildfire response, the network assisted more than 1,000 veterans and family members.
Education and College Benefits Extended to Veterans’ Families
California has expanded educational opportunities by allowing veterans and other working residents to convert professional and military experience into college credits through its Credit for Prior Learning initiative.
The statewide programme is expected to benefit approximately 250,000 people, including 30,000 veterans, by reducing the time and cost required to complete higher education.
The state has also extended eligibility for the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship programmes to dependents of US Armed Forces members who maintain California as their legal state of residence.
Through the CalVet College Tuition Fee Waiver Programme, children and spouses of eligible veterans can attend California public colleges and universities without paying tuition fees.
Students using the CalVet College Fee Waiver or federal GI Bill benefits are also eligible for priority enrolment at California Community Colleges, California State Universities and University of California campuses.
Additional measures allow military dependents returning to public higher education institutions to complete their degrees while retaining eligibility for in-state tuition, even if the service member has been transferred out of California or retired from active duty.
California Veterans Affairs Secretary Highlights Progress
California Veterans Affairs Secretary Lindsey Sin said veterans and their families should have access to services that recognise their experiences and provide support throughout their lives.
She credited the Newsom administration with expanding housing, healthcare, earned benefits and long-term care services.
“Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California has made considerable progress in expanding access to housing, health care, earned benefits, and long-term care,” Sin said.
She added that the investments had strengthened the state’s ability to connect veterans with available resources and opportunities.
Further information about California’s veteran support programmes is available through the California Department of Veterans Affairs website at calvet.ca.gov.
