Lincoln Avenue Apartments in Buena Park opening in the Fall of 2026 (Photo: C&C Development)
Veterans in California are finding new opportunities for stable housing as affordable developments open and break ground across the state. From Marina to Menlo Park, Windsor to Buena Park, multiple projects are offering permanent homes and support services to those who have served.
In Marina, Light Fighter Village opened in January and is already nearly half full. The 71-unit development was built in partnership with EAH Housing and the Veterans Transition Center, VTC. The three-story facility offers housing to Veterans and their families, along with critical services including counseling, food, transportation, clothing, and referrals for medical and disability support. Veterans pay income-based rent, capped at 30 percent, and must apply through the VTC. Funding came from the state, HUD, Wells Fargo, and county-level subsidies.
Further north in Windsor, construction is underway on Heritage Park Apartments, a 33-unit affordable housing community from Linc Housing and W&J Investments. Ten units are reserved for previously homeless Veterans, supported by HUD-VASH vouchers. An additional eight homes are backed by project-based vouchers from the Sonoma County Housing Authority. On-site services will be provided by Reach for Home and the VA HUD-VASH team, offering job counseling, mental and physical health care, and help with benefits. Amenities include a multipurpose room, children’s play area, computer lab, bike storage, and landscaped outdoor spaces. The project is expected to welcome residents in early 2026.
Oak Gardens in Menlo Park broke ground on the VA Palo Alto Health Care System campus in February. Led by MidPen Housing, the 62-unit development is part of a federal program that repurposes underused VA land for Veteran housing. Oak Gardens will include outdoor community areas, a garden, a meditation circle, and on-site case management tied to VA medical services. Funding comes from a mix of public and private sources, including San Mateo County’s Measure K, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, the City of Menlo Park, and the National Equity Fund.
In Buena Park, Lincoln Avenue Apartments is being developed by C&C Development and Riverside Charitable Corp., with 54 units total, including 11 for Veterans and 13 for families and individuals with special needs. CalOptima Health contributed $8 million to the $42.7 million project, which includes ADA-accessible units, a tot lot, a teen fitness area, and on-site support from LifeSTEPS.
These housing developments are part of a broader statewide push to address Veteran homelessness in California and offer supportive, affordable homes for those who have served.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.