An partnership between public and private entities in Glendale is bringing a new housing option for many veterans.
On Tuesday, the Glendale Housing Authority and developer Thomas Safran & Associates, alongside the New Directions for Veterans nonprofit officially opened the $20 million housing complex called "Veterans Village."
"The state of veteran housing has not been good," said Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian. "[This] is a wonderful place for the people who defended our country who need help re-entering into society and making their lives fulfilled."
The housing community is designed for low-income and homeless veterans and their families, as well as veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
"I'm so happy about this," said Army veteran Jose Garcia. "I live here with my kid, who is 10 years old, and there are a lot of kids here for him to play with."
Veterans in Los Angeles County make up one of the largest populations of homeless military veterans in the country — 6 percent as of 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The number of homeless veterans can be up to 4,000 on any given night, according to Safran & Associates.
The property, located on Salem Street in Glendale, is made up of 44 housing unit — some of which have already been gifted to veteran families. Veterans have the option of choosing between a one bedroom unit, two bedroom units or a three bedroom unit, according to their needs.
The city of Glendale is also partnering with New Directions for Veterans to offer them job counseling and job opportunities.
