Veteran's Village Construction Kicks Off

SAN DIEGO-With site clearing and grading already under way on its Veteran’s Village development, the locally based organization Vietnam Veterans of San Diego has commenced construction on the project.The development, which will include housing and support facilities for the treatment, job training and counseling of homeless veterans, is slated to rise in three phases. According to VVSD’s literature on the project, Phase I will consist of a 112-bed resident early treatment facility, two-story counseling center and kitchen/dining/multipurpose building; Phase II will include a 112-bed resident facility, central courtyard, employment training/placement center and corporate administrative offices; and Phase III will be comprised of 24 three-bedroom apartments, a warehouse and an exercise room. While the beds in the first two phases are meant to serve as transitional housing, the third phase will provide more long-term residences “where (VVSD) program graduates can continue to earn life-sustainable incomes and save for a permanent home,” according to the nonprofit developer. The Veteran’s Village complex, which VVSD’s website describes as “a state-of-the-art rehabilitative center” is rising at 4141 Pacific Highway in San Diego’s North Bay area.The VVSD says its project will cost a total of $18.3 million to construct. The San Diego Redevelopment Agency has provided a total of $1 million for the first phase. The $1-million financing, which is coming out of the Horton Plaza Low and Moderate Income Housing Set-Aside Fund, will serve as gap funding. Completion of Phase I is anticipated for fall of 2005.