Jamboree Creates a Home for Heroes

Heroes Landing is the largest permanent supportive housing development for veterans in Orange County, California.

The recently completed development features 75 fully furnished one- and two-bedroom units aimed at formerly homeless veterans plus a manager’s unit. During construction, one resident, who had been living in his car, would park nearby just to be close to the Santa Ana development.

“Every time I’m there it’s palpable with every resident that you speak to that they’re thrilled with it,” says Michael Massie, chief development officer at Jamboree. “They’re grateful, and we’re grateful to have them.”

The residential building opens onto a spacious courtyard, with nearly 10,000 square feet of active open space, including a community garden, a reflection walk, and a community center that’s home to a veterans’ service collaborative. Heroes Landing offers mental health services, help with daily living, and job and legal assistance. Much of this is possible through the federal HUD-VASH program, which combines rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development with services from Veterans Affairs.

The development provides a wider public value. Based on models, Heroes Landing is anticipated to save the county approximately $2.5 million annually through avoided emergency services, hospitalizations, and other municipal expenses that residents no longer require.

The approximately $29 million development was built in collaboration with the city and other public and private partners, according to Massie. Financing included low-income housing tax credit equity from Union Bank and funding from Orange County Community Foundation and The Home Depot Foundation.