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.