ODVA presents 22 budget requests to expand veteran housing, behavioral health, technology and services

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs on Thursday asked the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee for funding in the 2025-27 budget to expand housing, behavioral health, tribal services, technology and operations for veterans statewide.

Director Dr. Nikia Council Daniels presented the governor's recommended budget and a set of 22 policy option packages (POPs), describing requests that include $35.35 million in bond proceeds to advance construction of a third Oregon Veterans Home in Roseburg, funding for emergency financial grants, positions for grants and IT, and money to modernize loan origination and servicing systems.

The budget matters because the agency aims to address homelessness, housing instability, long-term care needs and gaps in behavioral health and outreach to underserved veteran groups. Daniels told the committee the packages are intended to make services more accessible, improve customer service and strengthen the agency's ability to manage federal grants and technology transitions.

Daniels and Nicole Dolan, ODVA chief financial officer, walked lawmakers through key performance measures (KPMs) and a range of POPs. On KPMs, Daniels said ODVA tracks private pay rates at Oregon Veterans Homes to keep them below private-market long-term care costs; the homes currently bill a private-pay rate of $290 per day compared with a stated performance target of $386 per day. She also noted Oregon veterans' average federal benefit payments in 2024 were $21,332.322, below a 2024 performance target of $22,830.

On a recurring committee concern, Daniels clarified the paperwork often described as a…