Formerly homeless veterans and their families have moved into Valor Crossing, a new 66-unit affordable housing community in Dublin, Calif.
The aptly named development, which was built to provide veterans and other vulnerable residents with stable housing and services, celebrated its grand opening.
“If you fight for this country, you should have a home in this country,” said Scott Haggerty, a member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, who cited an overall shortfall of 60,000 affordable homes in the county.
Developed by nonprofit Eden Housing, Valor Crossing does its part to chip away at the enormous need.
While other developments have focused on single vets, Valor Crossing aims to serve the needs of veterans with families, said Linda Mandolini, Eden president.
“As a vet, I feel blessed,” said a resident, who recently moved into the community with his wife. The couple recounted nights sleeping in their car after falling on hard times. Their troubles included an on-the-job accident that left the veteran unable to work and depressed. Other job opportunities also fell through for the couple.
Their new apartment is providing a fresh start.
Valor Crossing is located close to Camp Parks, a reserve forces training facility. It’s also near a Bay Area Rapid Transit train station and within walking distance to schools, job centers, and retail stores.
Designed by BDE Architecture, the development features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. A solar thermal water system on the roof will offset 70% of the building’s need for hot water. A solar panel system also generates electricity for the building’s common space.
The new apartments would not exist without the help of two federal programs, according to Mandolini.
The first is the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC), which provided raised critical financing for the $33.7 million project. The second is the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers, which combine housing subsidies from HUD with supportive services from the VA. The development has 25 VASH vouchers.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch is a key investor, providing approximately $15 million in tax credit equity as well as other funding. California Community Reinvestment Corp. is the permanent lender.
Other financing partners include the city of Dublin, Alameda County, the Housing Authority of the County of Alameda, California Department of Housing and Community Development, and The Home Depot Foundation.
