Policypaper

CALIFORNIA military and veteran policy plan APRIL 26 -27, 2015 路 SACRAMENTO, CA 路 HYATT REGENCY SACRAMENTO

MAKING THE AMERICAN DREAM A REALITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED US

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Overview of Veteran Statistics in California, Key Findings, and VAREP’s Recommendations

CALIFORNIA VETERAN OVERVIEW Currently 62,619 veterans are homeless on any given night in America. California is home to 1.8 million veterans, representing 8 percent of the total U.S. veteran population. California expects to receive an additional 30,000 discharged members of the armed services each year for the next several years – more than any other state. Nearly 15,000 California veterans experience homelessness nightly, representing 26 percent of the nation’s homeless veterans.

KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The State of California’s efforts to end the epidemic of veteran homelessness is of critical importance; however, it has overlooked key issues such as financial literacy education and housing services for California veterans.

FINDING #1: Lack of Financial-Literacy Education and Training for California Veterans Triggers Homelessness among the California Veteran Community ·· 30% of veterans reported financial troubles, many of which began during military service. ·· 65% experienced stress related to their family’s current financial condition. ·· 84% agreed that greater focus should be placed on preventive financial education as a whole.

Source: Blue Star Families 2014 Servicemember National Survey RECOMMENDATION #1: Conduct an Annual Financial Health Audit for California Servicemembers and Veterans

FINDING #2: Nonexistent California Veteran Housing Education, Training, and Counseling Services ·· 95% of veterans said they did not receive housing training and counseling while in service. ·· 85% of veterans said they did not receive VA Loan training during service, transitioning out, or post separation. ·· California does not have a state-funded veteran specific housing counseling program.

Source: VAREP 2014 Servicemember and Veteran California Survey RECOMMENDATION #2: Create a State -Funded Veteran Housing Outreach Initiative

CALL TO ACTION: Amend CA Prop 41, Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond VAREP implores state legislators to amend Prop 41 so money can be allocated towards creating a pro-active financial-literacy and veteran housing initiative as outlined on the next page. Prop 41 will be more effective with financial and housing supportive services.

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CALL TO ACTION Pass Legislation to Incorporate Veteran Financial and Housing Programs as Part of Ending the Epidemic of Veteran Homelessness in California

The time is now for lawmakers to introduce, support, and pass legislation to address VAREP’s two recommendations concerning California’s veteran financial, housing, and lending needs.

CONDUCT AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL HEALTH AUDIT FOR CALIFORNIA SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS Pre-Separation: Work with California base commanders to Conduct financial health audits one-year prior to the servicemember date of separation.

Post-Separation: Continue the proactive financial-literacy outreach approach targeting servicemembers as they transition out of service and identified California as their permanent residence. This period is crucial to have financial guidance as servicemembers are reintegrating into the civilian sector.

California Veterans: Integrate financial health audits as a key component when California veterans apply for their benefits. Financial-literacy education, training, and counseling will be provided as a result of these audits.

CREATE A STATE-FUNDED, VETERAN HOUSING OUTREACH INITIATIVE Fund California veteran housing non-profits to administer the following services: ·· Host veteran homeownership education and training events. ·· Create and administer veteran first-time home buyer’s down-payment and closing cost assistance grants. ·· Provide veteran housing counseling for veterans of all eras especially for veteran who are at risk of becoming homeless. ·· Provide veteran credit counseling to prevent homelessness due to bad money management decisions.

CALL TO ACTION: AMEND CA PROP 41, VETERANS HOUSING AND HOMELESS PREVENTION BOND Prop 41 Issues: Prop 41 authorizes general obligation bonds to relieve homelessness through affordable transitional housing, affordable rental housing, or related facilities for veterans and their families, however, Prop 41 has no provisions and allocations for any type of veteran support services.

Proposed Solution: VAREP implores state legislators to amend Prop 41 so money can be allocated towards creating a pro-active financial-literacy and veteran housing initiative as outlined above. Prop 41 will be more effective with financial and housing supportive services.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & CALL TO ACTION · PAGE 2

Established in 2011, the USA Homeownership Foundation, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), is a non-profit 501.c.3 organization dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic development for the active military and veteran communities. VAREP and its members represent and work within all sectors of the real estate, housing, and financial services industries. Our goal is to keep the American Dream of homeownership alive for servicemembers and veterans of all eras.

w w w . VA R E P. n e t VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS 462 Corona Mall Suite 102 ∙ Corona CA 92879 info@VAREP.net ¡ 951-444-7363