The fight against veteran homelessness in California

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OPINION – Every veteran deserves to have a stable home in the nation they have valiantly defended. Unfortunately, this is far from reality in California, where thousands of former service members continue to live without shelter. Even more concerning is that the same challenge also echoes across the country. While federal measures have successfully decreased the rate of veteran homelessness by over 55% since 2010, nearly 33,000 former service members are still affected because of skyrocketing housing costs and illnesses sustained during their years of service. Fortunately, the recent executive order establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence presents a vital opportunity to tackle this problem. By building housing units as well as streamlining healthcare access and other benefits, such an initiative will provide immediate relief to homeless veterans and pave a smoother path for their reintegration into civilian life.

The challenge of veteran homelessness in California
The struggle against veteran homelessness across the country—more so in California—continues to expose critical gaps between national progress and local reality. Currently, the state is home to over 1.3 million former service members, yet a large number of this occupational group still deals with housing insecurity. In fact, as of 2022, authorities have already reported almost 10,400 individuals who remain unsheltered. Sacramento County, in particular, stands out as one of the hardest-hit regions as it logged more than 400 unhoused veterans.

Behind these numbers are deeply intertwined issues of affordability and health. The truth is that soaring mortgage and rental fees in California have made it nearly impossible for many veterans living on fixed incomes to secure long-term stability. At the same time, countless others grapple with medical conditions stemming from their in-service contact with hazardous substances. Among the most dangerous of these contaminants was asbestos, a natural mineral previously hailed for its heat resistance and thermal stability. Though such properties have indeed made it beneficial in the construction and maintenance of Navy ships and military installations like the McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, prolonged exposure has been linked to severe health outcomes, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Alarmingly, this crisis has been apparent in California. Data indicate that between 1999 and 2017, approximately 27,080 people succumbed to asbestos-associated illnesses—1,066 of whom were from Sacramento County. Such circumstances sadly left many veterans caught between deteriorating health and the harsh reality of homelessness, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive support.

A federal initiative to restore stability for California veterans
The latest order to create a National Center for Warrior Independence signals a decisive federal effort to address veteran homelessness in California and the country, in general. As outlined, such an initiative intends explicitly to build about 6,000 housing units in the Golden State by 2028 while simultaneously broadening the access of former service members to critical medical care. Although detailed guidelines on implementation are still forthcoming, veterans seeking assistance or information on eligibility can connect with local offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Given these goals, the nation may positively witness another significant stride in the fight against veteran homelessness; however, its ultimate impact will still depend on deliberate execution. Effectively implementing this initiative needs meticulous planning as well as adequate funding and strong coordination with state and local leaders to really guarantee that both housing and supportive services reach those who need them most. Past federal efforts have clearly shown what is possible when these principles are employed. Among these is the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, which has successfully expanded access to VA healthcare and disability benefits for toxic-exposed veterans. Since its ratification, almost three million former service members have already submitted their applications, including 220,000 from California. With this, nearly two million claims have received approval, while over $6.8 billion have been settled as of 2024.

These results prove that when programs are properly enforced, they can produce very meaningful and measurable outcomes. As such, it is only appropriate that the same approach is applied to the new center. If executed effectively, this endeavor can do more than provide shelter—it can create a coordinated, sustainable system that simultaneously addresses homelessness, health challenges, and the social support needs of veterans.

Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization.