Swords to Plowshares Celebrates New State Investment in California Veterans

The responsibility to ensure that our country's veterans have fair access to the benefits and housing they need is a collective one. It requires effort that's intentional and puts veteran experiences first. This month, we're grateful to see that recent trips we made to Sacramento in March and April have inspired California lawmakers to double down on the role they play in serving veterans.

Throughout Swords to Plowshares' decades of service, we've amplified the voices and needs that color our community in rooms filled with changemakers and policy pros. In the first quarter of 2026, our leadership team traveled to Sacramento to make the case that veterans – especially seniors, those transitioning out of homelessness, and living with complex health needs – depend on accessible, tailored support. We made it clear that funding was needed to ensure programs we have seen work remain reliable, and we’re glad to see that case reflected in the state budget.  

Last week, Governor Newsom announced $34 million in new state funding to expand support within several critical service areas that we and fellow advocates have been championing, including sustaining the Housing Pilot we launched in 2023 and bolstering legal assistance programs for veterans navigating discharge upgrades.

Sustaining a promising pilot

The Housing Pilot began when Swords and our veteran-serving partner agencies identified a gap in the system. Permanent supportive housing gets veterans off the streets, but for older veterans and those living with complex medical, mental health, or mobility needs, a roof alone isn't always enough to keep them healthy and housed. The Pilot closes that gap, embedding onsite peer-based support, mental healthcare, transportation, and services that promote daily independence at the 12 participating residential sites across California.

In March, we took the interim findings of the Pilot to the Capitol – sharing the impact of its enhanced onsite services. The data showed exciting, preliminary results. Veterans participating were more likely to remain housed (98% retention rate), feel healthy, and connect with peers. Read the findings report and learn more about the pilot here.

The Governor's new budget commits $7 million to continue the Pilot for veteran residents, many of whom experienced chronic homelessness and are above the age of 55. This funding confirms that the state recognizes how integral stability is for these veterans, and that they trust the agencies that serve them daily.

Expanding legal services

We're also encouraged by the $2 million investment expanding free legal services for veterans seeking discharge upgrades.

For veterans affected by military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, behavioral health conditions, discrimination, or other distressing circumstances, a less than honorable discharge can mean a lifetime shut out of the federal benefits they earned through their service. Because of the difficulty in navigating complex bureaucracy at the VA and DoD levels, legal representation to correct the record is often the only way veterans can achieve access to VA healthcare, disability income, and housing support.  

Expanded funding means more of California's veterans can get life-changing legal help. Look at the evidence from Swords' legal program: in 2025, our team of attorneys helped veterans secure an estimated $32 million in lifetime benefits. This specific legal support can immediately transform a veteran's life.

Advocacy that adds up

For our part, this budget outcome is proof that the responsibility to serve veterans isn't being pushed aside by our representatives. Alongside the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA) and our pilot partners (Nation's Finest, PATH San Diego, and U.S. VETS), we brought the reality of California's most vulnerable veterans to the people making decisions that impact their livelihoods. The result is real funding, sustained, for programs that work. We'll keep showing up until every California veteran has the stability and support they've earned.

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