State funds $1.7M to house veterans, prevent homelessness
By Gary Warth
Feb. 12, 2026
A San Diego County program that helps house local veterans will continue for at least two more years and expand under newly announced state funding.
State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, presented a ceremonial $1.67 million check Feb. 12 at the County Administration Building for the county’s Homelessness Prevention Landlord Incentive Program.
“We all know that a lack of affordable housing and increasing homelessness has been a big problem in the San Diego region for many years,” Blakespear said.
The program provides direct payments to landlords to help qualified veterans move into affordable housing. Last year, a $683,000 county investment helped 243 veterans secure housing. With the additional state funding, county officials estimate the program could serve between 160 and 200 more households.
David Estrella, director of Housing and Community Development Services, said the county has also invested more than $300 million since 2017 to create more than 6,000 affordable housing units.
Most veterans eligible for the incentive program have a federal Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher to help cover rent. The county program supplements that assistance by providing landlords with a one-time payment to cover upfront costs such as security deposits and potential damages — expenses that can total up to $2,800.
“The landlord incentive program reduces barriers that keep people from renting an apartment,” Blakespear said. “I am thrilled that I was able to secure state funding to help the men and women who have served this country get quickly into places to live.”
County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre joined Blakespear at the ceremony and said the funding aligns with the county’s broader prevention strategy.
“This program fits squarely into the county’s shift from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention,” Aguirre said. “It is more humane and more fiscally responsible to keep a roof over someone’s head than to build a shelter bed later.”
Blakespear cited studies showing that every dollar spent on homelessness prevention can save between $2.50 and $5 in downstream costs.
Veteran Gregory Vittoni, who once experienced homelessness in San Diego, also spoke at the event.
“Where would I be without this process?” he said. “I’d be right back on a bench with the rest of those guys. It’s an empty life. It’s hopelessness.”
Vittoni said stable housing and supportive services have changed his life.
“They’ve given me respect and a place to live with dignity,” he said. “I’m stabilized now. I don’t have the stress or anxiety. That has ended. Thank you.”
