Affordable Housing Opens for Veterans in Long Beach
The Cove Brings 90 Apartments for Low-Income Veterans, Including Those Who Have Experienced Homelessness
Century Housing celebrated the grand opening of The Cove this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling its newest affordable housing development exclusively for Veterans. Developed by Century Affordable Development, Inc., the 90-unit apartment community is the latest addition to Century Villages at Cabrillo, a 27-acre supportive housing campus on Long Beach’s westside.
“The Cove represents a meaningful milestone for this former Navy housing site, now home to the Villages at Cabrillo, where more than 1,500 residents reside each night,” said Brian D’Andrea, Senior Vice President of Housing at Century Housing. “As the newest addition to the Villages, The Cove’s 90 apartments embody nearly three decades of Century Housing’s mission—creating dignified, supportive, and affordable homes for those in need, and standing as a crown jewel in our journey of transformation.”
“It’s great to see The Cove open its doors today as part of Century Villages at Cabrillo. This new development highlights our community’s commitment to creating affordable housing solutions while supporting our Veterans. Thank you to the City of Long Beach, Century Housing, and all of our partners for investing in safe, secure housing and services,” said Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), who previously served as Mayor of Long Beach.
“The City of Long Beach is dedicated to building solutions to homelessness, and new housing developments like The Cove are among our most effective tools in that effort,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “Our city experienced a 20 percent decrease in the number of unsheltered Veterans this year, and with the addition of Veteran housing at The Cove, we expect that trend to continue.”
The Cove offers housing for households earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income, including 60 units of permanent supportive housing for Veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Residents are referred to The Cove through the Coordinated Entry System and have access to supportive services provided by the VA Long Beach Healthcare System and Century Oasis Residential Services.
“After serving seven and a half years in the U.S. Army, life took an unexpected turn. In 2017, I lost my job as a mechanic and eventually found myself without a home. For a time, I lived in my car while working full-time,” said Jason Smith, a resident of The Cove and Veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom. “By 2021, I was working at a warehouse that supplied materials for what would become The Cove—never imagining it would one day become my home. After months in transitional housing, I finally have a stable place to call my own. Life has a way of coming full circle, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”
“VA is committed to ensuring every Veteran is housed. Over the past fiscal year, VA housed 47,925 Veterans and ensured that 96% of the Veterans housed during this time did not return to homelessness,” said Dr. Usha Subramanian, Deputy Chief of Staff, VA Long Beach Healthcare System. “This effort requires a collaborative approach, and we are honored to provide Veterans at Cabrillo with supportive and healthcare services of the highest quality.”
“The Cove is a testament to what we can accomplish when we prioritize housing for those who have served our country. These new homes offer Veterans not just shelter, but the stability and support they need to rebuild their lives,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents the Fourth District on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “I’m proud to support developments like The Cove that are changing lives and strengthening our community.”
The Cove’s remaining 30 apartments include 29 units of general affordable housing for Veterans earning 50 to 60 percent of the area median income, as well as one manager’s unit.
The Cove features amenities designed to support residents’ well-being, including a community room, courtyard, computer lab, study area, and bicycle repair shop that will serve the entire Villages campus. Additionally, The Cove is LEED Gold-certified, a reflection of its sustainability features, such as solar panels, a cool roof, electric vehicle chargers, and native landscaping.
Construction on The Cove began in 2022 and finished earlier this year. Funding for The Cove comes from a mix of public and private sources, including the City of Long Beach, County of Los Angeles, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, and Wells Fargo.
