Vets Village Provides Housing for Homeless Veterans

The town of Ben Lomond in the San Lorenzo Valley will soon have a place for homeless veterans to call home.  Jaye's Timberlane on Highway 9 will be converted to a permanent supportive housing (PSH) site for homeless veterans. Click here to learn more.

The project is being led by veterans for veterans. Hutch Collier, Commander of the Aptos Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10110 and resident of Boulder Creek, recognized the need for housing support for his fellow veterans. Chris Cottingham, Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building (Vets Hall) Executive Director, also recognized the need to find permanent solutions for homeless veterans. Cottingham teamed up with Keith Collins to co-found the program. Collins has  experience working with Bay Area housing authorities and hands-on experience running veterans programs including expertise with permanent supportive housing programs.

The property will close escrow in January and efforts are under way to apply for state Home Key funds. Initially the project will have 15-16 beds with a goal to house up to 40 homeless veterans in the future. Housing Matters will provide a list of pre-screened applicants for the property and all residents will have HUD VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) vouchers to subsidize the monthly rent.

Donations for this project can be made online through the Community Foundation at cfscc.org/vetsvillage.