Norwalk’s grand opening of affordable housing for homeless veterans and families

 Army veteran Armando Perez arrived Friday morning to learn more about the opening of an affordable housing complex for veterans and low-income families in the City of Norwalk. As a disabled veteran, he receives some benefits and his pension but he says that is not enough.

“Every cent that I can save is worth it. I will get an application to see if I can move here” said Perez, 67, who arrived with his support dog.

The Veterans Villas at San Antonio Drive is a new community housing complex with 60 affordable homes. A third of the units are dedicated to homeless veterans who will also receive supportive services such as case management, life skills training, financial counseling, and health services.

The grand opening on Friday happened just a little over a week after California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the City of Norwalk for approving a temporary ‘unlawful’ homeless shelter ban. In August, Newsom issued an executive order that required the local governments to provide people in encampments with the care and supportive services they need. At that same time, Norwalk passed the temporary banning ordinance and the Council expanded it in September. 

 Positive news for unhoused veterans

The housing complex is a partnership between Mercy Housing California and the City of Norwalk. LA County provided 18 Veteran Affairs (VA) Supportive housing vouchers. This will ensure that the unhoused veterans accepted will live there and pay no more than 30% of their income for housing, even if their income is zero. 

Angelo Maldonado, a military veteran and member of the Norwalk American Legion Post 359 congratulated Mercy Housing and the City of Norwalk for creating affordable housing for veterans who fought for this country. He said the building is the embodiment of the ideals of justice, freedom and democracy.

“As in the time of war, we fight for our country, so in the time of peace, may we serve the Republic fearlessly and well,” he said. “It is our hope and desire that this edifice may be used in the service of the sick and disabled, of the widowed and orphaned, and to the benefit of our community, state, and nation.”

After the event, the attendants were invited to tour the complex, which doesn’t have any tenants yet. Army veteran Jaime Maldonado walked into one of the apartments, and he was impressed with the amenities and looks. He said he might apply since he is getting services from the VA. 

“This shows a strong commitment for the community and our fellow friends who were in service,” said Maldonado, 48, who served from 1995 to 2001. 

 Senator Bob Archuleta, who represents Norwalk, said he was so pleased and honored to see Norwalk honoring our veterans. Especially those who had no home, but would soon thanks to this project. 

“Many of them call Norwalk their home, now they can invite their families to visit since they will have a definite place,” said Archuleta.

The process

Ed Holder, VP of real estate development for Mercy Housing California, said the housing complex will house two populations; one is families and another one is veterans who have been homeless. There will be 42 units for families with a preference of having a veteran as the head of household, but not a requirement and 18 units specifically for homeless veterans. 

“The families will be part of a lottery. So we get a big list, and we basically put names into the virtual hat,” said Holder. “The supportive housing units for the veterans will come via referrals through the county or the VA. So that's going to be a more connected process where we identify veterans who are eligible, fit the criteria, and are ready for housing.”

Holder said the complex was not affected at all by the lawsuit presented by the governor and he knows that the City of Norwalk has been committed to homeless housing for a long time. 

Interested in applying? 

The applications are open through November 25, 2024. Those interested can apply online here or visit the Norwalk City Hall Room 12. A representative from the Mercy Housing Management Group will be at City Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm to assist with the application process. There will also have applications at the Norwalk Senior Center and the Veterans Resource Center at Cerritos College. 

You can contact Mercy Housing for more information at  (562) 564-5962 or veteransVillasSanAntonio@mercyhousing.org