Affordable housing for military veterans in Norwalk

Veterans Villas at San Antonio Drive in Norwalk is the new construction of 60 affordable rental homes with support services for veterans who have experienced homelessness.

Mercy Housing California (MHC) and the City of Norwalk negotiated a development agreement for the 1.5-acre parcel back in 2018. This is MHC’s eighth community built for veterans and their families and will serve extremely low-income households.

MHC is a California-based, nonprofit housing development organization with the mission of creating and strengthening healthy communities. Mercy Housing has created affordable housing for Californians for over 40 years. 

Located at the corner of Foster Road and San Antonio Drive, this new community and property will be managed by Mercy Housing Management Group and Mercy Housing’s resident services staff, which will provide long-term supportive services to all veterans, including their families.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide case management to residents of the 18 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) units at the property. Construction is expected to be completed in August 2024.

“This is the first veteran housing project in the Gateway Cities region, and the City of Norwalk is honored to do its part to curb veteran homelessness,” stated Mayor Rick Ramirez. “The city will continue to support veterans, and the construction of this veteran housing project will help homeless veterans off the streets and get them much needed help.”

In 2022, the VA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) announced preliminary results for veterans of the Point-in-Time Count (PIT). The results of the report showed an 11% decrease in veteran homelessness since 2020. Despite the fact that California still has a long way to go in housing all veterans, the report demonstrates that the state is making progress in this direction.

“It’s fully within California’s reach to end veteran homelessness in our lifetime, and this kind of partnership shows exactly how we make it happen,” said Ed Holder, Vice President of Real Estate Development for Mercy Housing California. “We’re deeply grateful to the City of Norwalk for its tremendous commitment to supporting veterans in leading stable, dignified lives.”

The lease process for the 60 rental affordable homes will begin in spring 2024 for an approximate move-in period of Fall 2024. In order to qualify for housing assistance at Veterans Villas at San Antonio Drive, renters of the one-bedroom apartments will need to earn 25 percent of the area median income or less. For 2023, 25 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) was $22,075.

Families will also be expected to have a combined household income between 30 and 60 percent of the (AMI). In 2023, the maximum combined income for a family of four was between $37,830 and $75,660. 

To find a list of communities that are providing housing for veterans, click here. If you have general questions about low-income assistance or anything else, please contact the MHC's corporate office at 866-338-0557. For more application information, visit norwalkveteransvillas.org.