Does California Prioritize Drug-Addicted Vagrants over Military Veterans?

This Veterans Day, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $33 million in grants to seven counties through the California Veterans Health Initiative. The grants will go to preexisting community organizations that provide mental health support for veterans and their families. Newsom also announced 100,000 free mental health appointments for veterans, and a federal grant funding through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that will go toward Native American veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention.

Well, good. Veterans should be receiving any assistance they need, whether in the form of medical care, mental health care, job training, food or shelter. They served our country, which kept wars off of U.S. shores, allowing the American people to live in relative safety.

After Gov. Newsom spending more than $24 Billion on the state’s drug-addicted, mentally-ill vagrant population living on the streets, compare the veterans’ spending announcement with Newsom’s October announcement that the state is awarding $130.7 million to 18 local governments to create new homeless housing, and to clear homeless encampments and provide shelter, care, and support. The Governor also announced new accountability measures, requiring award recipients to adhere to all state housing and homeless laws — as well as remain in compliance with their Housing Elements — or risk losing funding and face other enforcement actions.

Things are definitely upside down in California when the state spends around $30 Billion on drug-addicted vagrants, only to exponentially grow the population, and the governor offers up $33 Million to military veterans, who by definition are people who served or are serving in the armed forces, defending our country.

See what I mean?

Rather than admitting that his “homeless” policies have been an abject failure, Gov. Newsom has doubled down on failed housing for the “homeless” policies, and is only spending more on them.

The photo gallery the Globe has provided showing the drug-addicted vagrants populating our parks, streets, under freeways, in alleys, and in business doorways really isn’t about putting a free roof over a drug addict’s head. They need addiction help and mental health treatment. A permanent roof over their heads comes after the addiction is dealt with.

But the veterans are another story. Their needs should trump homeless drug addicts’ – and all homeless veterans should be prioritized.

Veterans Day celebrates all past U.S soldiers, living or deceased, by acknowledging their selfless service and commitment safeguarding America. California’s politicians should recognize this and take better care of these selfless warriors.