The county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to support Legacy Village, a planned housing development led by the San Bernardino Community College District, and conditionally commit $28 million from the Foster Youth Campus Reserve to help advance the project.
The proposed Legacy Village at 701 S. Mt. Vermont Ave. in San Bernardino across from SB Valley College aims to bring affordable housing, workforce residences and student accommodations together in one development, with additional amenities and services intended to help residents achieve greater housing and financial stability, county officials said.
Under the current plan, Jamboree Housing Corp. would develop 88 affordable housing units, while The Annex Group LLC would oversee 180 workforce housing units and 461 student housing beds.
Plans also call for approximately 9,100 square feet of space for flexible uses and food services, along with another 9,280 square feet for conferences and community gatherings. The development could also provide transitional housing opportunities for former foster youth entering adulthood.
County officials said the initiative supports regional priorities that include reducing housing insecurity, preparing residents for employment and encouraging neighborhood revitalization through partnerships between public agencies and private organizations.
“Expanding access to affordable housing for transitional-age youth is an important step in supporting their stability, independence and long-term success,” Board Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said in a statement.
She also recognized the college district for its collaboration in advancing the proposal.
Vice Chair and 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. said the project is intended to give young people access to housing while connecting them with educational programs, career opportunities and resources that can help them become financially independent.
Baca described the development as an investment in young people, the regional workforce and San Bernardino County’s future.
In addition to providing residences, Legacy Village is expected to connect residents with education and job training, childcare, transportation, physical and behavioral health services, as well as other community resources.
The goal is to help residents maintain stable housing while pursuing educational credentials, entering the workforce and improving their long-term economic prospects, officials said.
Diana Z. Rodriguez, chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District, said access to stable housing can make it easier for students to continue their education and create better opportunities for themselves and their families.
“Having a stable place to live can make the difference between putting college on hold and earning a degree that changes a family’s future,” Rodriguez said in a statement, chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. “Our vision for Legacy Village brings housing, education and support services together so local students and families can build that future. We are grateful for the county’s partnership and support in moving this vision forward.”
Rodriguez said the district envisions a development where housing, education and supportive services work together to help local students and families build a more secure future. She also thanked county leaders for supporting the project.
County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke emphasized the role of collaboration in addressing pressing community needs, saying Legacy Village has the potential to benefit residents throughout the region.
County funding not yet guaranteed
The supervisors’ action is intended to move the project forward by supporting continued planning, encouraging the pursuit of additional funding and coordinating the development’s housing, community spaces and proposed support services.
However, the resolution does not finalize the county’s financial contribution. Although the board conditionally committed $28 million, the funds are not guaranteed, and additional action will be required before any funding is formally approved.
Any proposed financial agreement or funding approval for Legacy Village must return to the Board of Supervisors for consideration at a future meeting.
More information about the development is available on the project’s website.
