A Sanctuary for Veterans

They bravely protected us — now, they need a hand-up to adjust to civilian life.  Some veterans suffer from PTSD, some are disabled, some need help finding a job or need a little help to support their families in a region with extreme housing costs, and some are homeless.  AMCAL & National CORE’s recently completed Veterans Park Apartments in downtown Pomona provides a place to lift spirits, offering 60 homes in a safe and secure setting.  Qualifying household incomes vary from 30 to 60% of area median income, with 30 units set aside for formerly homeless veterans and their families.

Located within walking distance of the Downtown Arts District and two blocks from the Transit Center, the Spanish style complements the historic train depot. The 1.27-acre site is within the Downtown Specific Plan and is the first project to transition the area from industrial to an active mixed-use high-density residential quarter.

Because it is adjacent to active railroad tracks, WHA oriented units and designed courtyard spaces to be sheltered from the noise, by using the building form itself.

Veterans Park will be dedicated to serving the unique needs of veterans with supporting services onsite.  Help will be provided for transitioning to civilian life and navigating the complicated Veterans Affairs system in the 1,052 square foot Veterans Center.  Support for families in a 1,725 square foot children’s center will focus on helping them do well in school and through after school programs.  Additionally, a community center provides resident services, counseling, conference, and event spaces.  Many of these activities enliven the street frontage and screen ground floor podium parking.  The LEED-Silver project includes 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom plans ranging from 600-1100 square feet in three stories over parking.

No one knows how many homeless veterans there really are, but one HUD estimate is that 15,000 of the 58,000 may live in California.  A 2020 estimate for Los Angeles County alone was 3,900.  The VA says more than 1,200 were housed in the year ending September 30, 2021, but the numbers keep growing.  The VA is plagued by a shortage of social workers, making projects like Veterans Park, with both quality housing and supportive services all the more relevant.