Liberty Lane, an affordable housing community for veterans and people with special needs, officially opened Wednesday in Redlands, county officials announced.
A Community of Friends, the county’s nonprofit partner, co-hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the facility with 80 affordable homes, including 62 permanent supportive housing units dedicated to homeless and at-risk veterans.
In attendance at the ceremony were local leaders and project partners who formally recognized the community, which began housing residents in December.
Speakers at the event included county Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, ACOF President and CEO Dora Leong Gallo, Redlands Mayor Mario Saucedo, representatives from the offices of Assemblymember James C. Ramos and Congressman Pete Aguilar, along with project and community partners. A Liberty Lane resident also shared remarks highlighting the impact of stable housing.
“This project demonstrates our dedication to supporting veterans in our community, many of whom have faced housing challenges,” Rowe said in a statement. “Liberty Lane provides a safe and stable place to live along with the supportive services residents need to rebuild their lives. This is our way of giving back to those who have given so much.”
Liberty Lane was developed by ACOF with support from the county Community Development and Housing Department, the Department of Behavioral Health, the Housing Authority, along with Loma Linda VA Medical Center and the nonprofit U.S. VETS.
San Bernardino County contributed funding from the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program, plus state and local housing resources, officials said.
“Liberty Lane was a deeply collaborative effort powered by the commitment of the community and our government partners,” Gallo said in a statement. “Together we persevered through every challenge, never losing sight of our shared mission: to create affordable, safe and stable housing for our veterans who served our country.”
The project also received significant support from J.P. Morgan Chase.
“We’re proud to help finance Liberty Lane Apartments, expanding access to quality affordable homes for veterans and their families in Redlands and San Bernardino County,” William Ho, executive director of J.P. Morgan community development banking, said in a statement. “At J.P. Morgan, our affordable housing investment work is rooted in the idea that strong communities create opportunity, and Liberty Lane’s mission to support veterans facing disability, homelessness or economic challenges reflects that commitment. By offering permanent supportive housing, Liberty Lane gives residents the foundation to build stability, pursue their goals and thrive for years to come.”
Supportive services for residents include case management, behavioral health care, clinical services and rental assistance through Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers.
Officials said that by combining these services with stable housing, Liberty Lane signals a key step in ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and broaden access to permanent supportive housing.
