Cabrillo Gateway, the fourth phase of development on the Century Villages at Cabrillo (CVC) campus, recently celebrated its grand opening in Long Beach, Calif.
The development provides 80 permanent supportive-housing units for veterans and families. Inspired by the growing movement of linking affordable homes with high-quality health care, Cabrillo Gateway seeks to promote the health and wellness of its residents while increasing self-sufficiency and self-determination.
The ground floor features a federally qualified health center operated by The Children’s Clinic, a Long Beach provider of comprehensive health care to children and their families.
Residents also have access to a comprehensive array of supportive services through CVC's Oasis Community Center, coupled with services available through the campus’ network of more than 20 collaborative partners that operate at CVC, including the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Sixteen of the new homes are set aside for households that have at least one member with mental illness.
The 27-acre CVC campus is a residential community designed to break the cycle of homelessness. Situated on a former military Navy housing site that served Long Beach shipyards, the site was conveyed to Century Housing in 1997 under the federal McKinney Act for the benefit of the homeless. Since that time, Century has served as steward of the property, which is home to more than 1,300 residents, including more than 550 veterans.
The latest development was built with homeless and special-needs residents in mind. Although none of the apartments at Cabrillo Gateway are explicitly set aside for vets, six veteran families call the development home.
The Pregerson Tower, a bell tower at the most prominent corner of the development, was dedicated to Judge Harry Pregerson of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals following the October ribbon cutting in honor for his leadership in the conversion of CVC.
Funding for the $33.9 million development includes nearly $30 million in low-income housing tax credit equity from Wells Fargo Bank. The credits were awarded by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
The Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach provided critical housing vouchers. Additional financial support was provided through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, California Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and the California Community Reinvestment Corp.
The next phase of development at CVC will be Anchor Place, which will provide 120 homes for veterans and families.
