(Photo: Creative Commons)

California officials announced a new round of state-funded housing awards under Proposition 1 to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including Veterans. The funding will support 267 new affordable permanent supportive housing units across five projects statewide, with homes set aside for Veterans living with behavioral health challenges.

Governor Gavin Newsom said the projects are part of the Homekey+ program, which is funded through Proposition 1 and designed to expand housing, treatment, and services for people facing homelessness and serious mental illness or substance use disorders.

“As we celebrate the holiday season, I want to recognize the gift voters gave our most vulnerable communities through Proposition 1 and programs like Homekey+,” Newsom said.

This funding improves California’s capacity to confront homelessness by growing access to treatment and housing while increasing accountability for people facing mental health and substance use challenges, with collaborative efforts already producing measurable results.

According to state officials, the latest awards bring total Homekey+ funding to $636.1 million across 37 projects, resulting in 1,817 affordable homes statewide. Of those homes, 454 are reserved for Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and who need behavioral health support.

Homekey+ builds on the earlier Homekey initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through three rounds of that program, the California Department of Housing and Community Development awarded more than $3.6 billion to fund 261 projects. Those developments are expected to provide nearly 16,000 homes and serve more than 175,000 people over the course of their lifetimes.

Proposition 1 is also driving a larger effort to strengthen California’s behavioral health system. The $6.4 billion bond supports housing, treatment, and services for Veterans and others experiencing homelessness. State estimates show that once fully awarded, the funding will create about 6,800 residential treatment beds and more than 26,000 outpatient treatment slots statewide.

Officials said approximately $1.033 billion in Proposition 1 bond funds are currently available through Homekey+ for projects that serve Veterans. An additional $1.11 billion is available for projects serving all eligible populations through a combination of bond funding and Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention program dollars.

State housing leaders said the Homekey+ program is helping deliver affordable housing paired with supportive services in communities across California, including targeted support for Veterans. VA officials added that the program continues to meet the housing needs of Veterans and their families through partnerships with local governments and housing agencies.

The five projects announced in this funding round total $95.8 million and include developments in Merced, Nevada County, Stockton, Riverside, and Sacramento. Several of the projects involve converting hotels, motels, or vacant buildings into permanent supportive housing. Dozens of the new units are reserved for Veterans, with on-site support intended to promote stability and long-term housing success.

State officials said Homekey+ funding is allocated by region based on need, including the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness, extremely low-income households facing high rent burdens, and set-asides for rural areas. Applications continue to be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis as California works to reduce veteran homelessness and expand supportive housing statewide.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.