VTC, EAH Housing project in Marina nears completion
MARINA – One of the most anticipated housing developments in Marina is nearing completion, providing homeless veterans a place to call home, and welcoming its first residents in January.
Veterans Transition Center Chief Executive Officer Kurt Schake said “it’s a real joy” to see Lightfighter Village nearing completion.
Lightfighter Village, the three-story, 71-unit housing structure on 2.3 acres in Marina, is a place homeless veterans will be able to live in perpetuity, with no transitional requirements, while they continue to receive case management and access to support services.
“Since 2015, (EAH Housing) has worked in partnership with the city of Marina and Veterans Transition Center of California to bring much needed affordable veteran housing to Monterey County,” said Chief Real Estate Development Officer at EAH Housing Welton Jordan.
The Lightfighter Village is a 100% affordable housing project, and was approved by the city of Marina in November 2018. The project is something that has been planned for about a decade and will increase the Veterans Transition Center’s on-site housing stock by 70%.
Schake pointed out that for the first time, all six of the different housing contracts the VTC has are 100% occupied, “so there is a need to serve more veterans.”
Lightfighter Village is situated on Hayes Circle, within a half-mile of transit, employment, shopping and the Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense outpatient clinic as well as the Veterans Transition Center headquarters at Martinez Hall on what was once the Fort Ord Army base. The military installation was shuttered under the Base Realignment and Closure Act of Congress in 1994. Land from the closed Army base was conveyed to the cities of Marina, Seaside, Monterey, Del Rey Oaks and the County of Monterey.
“Lease-up activities are in progress, now through the end of the year,” said Jordan. “We anticipate move-ins to begin in January 2025.”
Jordan added that a ribbon cutting ceremony is anticipated to take place in the third quarter of 2025.
The Lightfighter Village project, a partnership between the Veterans Transition Center and EAH Housing Inc., was fully funded at about $50 million from a number of sources including National Equity Fund/Local Initiatives Support Corporation Grant, Monterey County — No Place Like Home California Department of Housing Community Development, No Place Like Home Capitalized Operating Subsidy Reserve, California Housing Accelerator Tier 2, Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program, HUD Sec 811 Capital Grant and Federal Home Loan Bank — San Francisco Affordable Housing Program.
The joint effort started with the goal of developing permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.
EAH Housing is a nonprofit corporation which develops, manages and operates affordable housing for low-income families, older adults and persons with disabilities, special needs or both, in California and Hawaii. It was founded in 1968.
EAH Property Management operates all properties in the EAH development portfolio, according to Jordan, and will be managing Lightfighter Village.
Of the total number of units, 64 will be studio apartments at roughly 415 square feet, and seven two-bedroom units of about 850 square feet, including one manager’s unit. Each unit features energy-efficient appliances, window coverings, and walk-in closets. The structure will include a community room, garden, bike parking, on-site parking, manager’s office, computer lab, a pet wash station, laundry facility, meditation room, fitness room and resident lounges.
Lightfighter Village is pursuing GreenPoint Gold certification, showcasing a strong dedication to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, according to EAH Housing. It is one of three EAH affordable housing developments in Monterey County.
Lightfighter Village is named after the 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army that was primarily based at Fort Ord and would be part of the 10 acres of land the Veterans Transition Center uses for its operations including its emergency, transitional permanent housing programs and other services for veterans.
“Thanks to support from the Veterans Transition Center of California and EAH community engagement,” said Jordan, “Lightfighter Village has received widespread support from local stakeholders.”
