On Saturday, November 17, Homes 4 Families and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) held a public ceremony to present 24 veterans and their families with keys to their new homes.
“I believe in the American Dream, and for veterans, a big part of that dream is homeownership,” said CalVet Secretary Dr. Vito Imbasciani. “Through this project, CalVet and Homes 4 Families have provided the opportunity of homeownership to more than 90 veterans for more than 6 years.”
This final phase of 24 families completes the 78-home CalVet Residential Enriched Neighborhood, a program that offers permanent, affordable home ownership with manageable loan payments and family enrichment services to low-income veterans and their families. This model provides more than just a home – it includes services such as financial literacy workshops and veteran-specific trauma-informed services and has been proven to have positive, long-term outcomes for low-income families.
“Our Veterans understand the meaning of leadership, dedication, and service, plus they bring these important skills to our community. They are truly an asset,” said Donna Deutchman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Homes 4 Families.
The event also featured art by veterans and military family members, created as part of Homes 4 Families’ My TIME® (My Trauma Informed Military Enrichment) program. This program gives veterans and military family members a way to express their narratives and address their traumas through art-making, introspection, and peer-to-peer sharing.
This neighborhood was a partnership between Homes 4 Families and CalVet, with a contribution from the California Department of Housing and Community Development CalHome program.
This event honored major supporters and sponsors including The City of Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Anheuser-Busch represented by General Manager Eric Gutierrez, The Ahmanson Foundation, Citi, and many more.
Among those present to welcome home the military families were: Congressman Steve Knight and his wife Lily, Secretary of CalVet Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste, Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Marsha MacLean, Kris Hough representing State Senator Scott Wilk, and Sharon Bronson representing Assemblymember Dante Acosta.
CalVet and Homes 4 Families are continuing to partner in building Enriched Neighborhoods® for low-income veterans and their families as they continue construction on the next project: a 56-home CalVet Residential Enriched Neighborhood in Palmdale, California.