PRESS RELEASE

City officials and partners celebrate the grand opening of The Cove with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Dec. 18, 2024.
Above from left: Lena Gonzalez, California State Senator, District 33; Develyn Rhodes-Johnson, Program Manager, Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Dr. Usha Subramanian, Deputy Chief of Staff, Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System; Alan Lowenthal, Former United States Representative; Roberto Uranga, Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember, City of Long Beach; Cheryl McKnight, Chair, Board of Directors, American Indian Changing Spirits; Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson; Carrie Hawkins, Board of Directors, Century Housing; La Tina Jackson, Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; Jeanette Christian, Long Beach Field Deputy, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn; Paul Buckland, Managing Director, Wells Fargo Community Lending & Investment; Alison King, Director, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services; Oscar Alvarado, Vice Present of Housing Development, Century Housing; Emilio Salas, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Development Authority; Brian D’Andrea, Senior Vice President, Century Housing Corporation; Eva Melgarejo, Vice Chair, Long Beach Community Investment Company

Long Beach, CA – On Dec. 18, 2024, the City of Long Beach joined with nonprofit developer Century Affordable Development, Inc. (Century) and other partnering organizations to celebrate the grand opening of The Cove, an affordable housing development that serves low-income and very low-income veterans, including those who have experienced homelessness. This new addition to the Century Villages at Cabrillo community in West Long Beach provides residents with high-quality studio apartment homes and essential on-site supportive services.

“It is our duty to support our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country, and The Cove will provide them with the stable, dignified housing they deserve,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This project is a shining example of our continued commitment to strengthening our community by addressing homelessness and ensuring our veterans have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.”

At a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event, City officials joined representatives from The Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), the Los Angeles County Development Authority, and other local, state and federal partner organizations. The event featured remarks from leaders including Mayor Rex Richardson, Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga and State Senator Lena Gonzalez, along with heartfelt testimonials from The Cove’s residents, including Jason Smith, a U.S. Army veteran who shared his personal journey and the transformative impact of the housing and services on his life.

Located at 2121 W. Williams St., the four-story development features 89 high-quality studio units for veterans earning between 30-60% of Area Median Income (AMI) and one unrestricted manager’s unit. Residents will benefit from a central courtyard with recreational areas and common spaces, such as a visitor’s lobby, computer room, study area, classroom, community room and shared bicycle storage. Additionally, Century Villages at Cabrillo has partnered with over 30 service providers, including U.S. VETS and the local Veterans Administration, to offer vital on-site supportive services to all residents.

The City, through its Community Development Department, is continuing its fast-track efforts to support the building of safe, quality housing for residents across all income levels, while increasing the development of underused sites across the city. Earlier this year, three other affordable housing projects welcomed in new residents—26 Point 2 near the Traffic Circle, Wellspring in Cambodia Town and Heritage Gardens in the Midtown area. Additionally, construction was started for 1400 Long Beach in the Midtown area and 300 Alamitos in the Alamitos Beach area. 

“The Cove represents the strength of our community’s commitment to providing affordable housing and supportive services for those who have bravely served our country,” said Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “This development reinforces the City’s ongoing efforts to create equitable housing opportunities for all residents. I’m proud to see West Long Beach continue to lead the way in fostering a brighter future for all.”

The project has received significant support from various agencies, including a $4,550,000 HOME Investment Partnership Program loan from The LBCIC, and funding from Wells Fargo Community Lending & Investment.

“The Cove embodies the LBCIC’s commitment to addressing the critical need for affordable, sustainable housing in Long Beach,” said Eva Melgarejo, Vice Chair of The Long Beach Community Investment Company. “By working with the City, developers and service providers, we’re creating not just homes, but a foundation for veterans to achieve stability, dignity and success. Projects like this make our community safer, stronger and more inclusive.”

The development also benefits from the broader efforts of the Los Angeles County Development Authority and the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, both of which provide crucial supportive services to residents. The Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB) has awarded 60 project-based Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers for residents. Over the 20-year contract with Century Housing, these vouchers are expected to provide approximately $25 million in housing subsidies for veterans living at the Cove.

“This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting those in need by expanding access to affordable, safe housing through effective use of government resources and community partnerships,” said HACLB Deputy Executive Director Anna Topolewski.

Century is an award-winning affordable housing organization participating in the development, preservation, management and financing of affordable, program-enriched housing with a long history of investing in Long Beach. In 2017, the City and Century celebrated the grand opening of Anchor Place at Century Villages at Cabrillo, a 120-unit supportive housing project for extremely low-income households and veterans experiencing homelessness. Two years prior to the grand opening, Cabrillo Gateway was completed, providing 80 affordable homes for families and individuals with mental health disabilities. 

"The Cove is a shining example of what’s possible when mission-driven vision meets strong partnerships. Thanks to the unwavering support of the City of Long Beach and our public and private sector partners, we have created a dignified, supportive community where those who have served our country can build stable and fulfilling lives," said Brian D'Andrea, Senior Vice President of Housing at Century Housing.

For more information about The Cove and other affordable housing projects, visit the Community Development Department’s Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau or call 562.570.6949.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Community Development Department visit longbeach.gov/lbcd and follow @LongBeachBuilds on Facebook, X and Instagram.