North LA County Habitat makes homeownership possible for low-income veteran families

California veterans making a combined family income between $45000 and $83650 should apply now for a home with Habitat for Humanity San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys, the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate for North Los Angeles County. Habitat SF/SCV is building 87 homes in Santa Clarita and 12 homes in Sylmar in collaboration with the California Department of Veteran Affairs.

One of the veterans already selected for this program is Walter R. He, his wife, Maria, and three children are excited to move from their small apartment to a four bedroom/three bath home in a neighborhood specifically designed for veterans and their families.

Before this opportunity, homeownership did not seem like a possibility for Walter who is 100% disabled and cannot work. After serving 15 years in the United States Army, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Walter returned home, unable to work—making it difficult to provide for his family. He suffers from a Traumatic Brain Injury, a result of an IED bomb explosion. He does spend time volunteering as a coach for his two sons’ High School ROTC program.

Walter and the 98 additional families moving into the Sylmar and Santa Clarita Enriched Neighborhoods will not only receive a home with an affordable 30-40 year mortgage, where they will pay no more than 35% of their monthly income for mortgage payments, taxes, HOA dues, and water, they will receive transitional services to help them become more successful and self-sufficient.

These services are what make up the “enrichment” part of the Habitat for Humanity SF/SCV neighborhoods. Habitat for Humanity SF/SCV works with other non-profits, local businesses and community organizations to provide services free of charge to the families 6-12 months before and up to 18 months after move in. These services include financial literacy training workshops, healthy eating/active living workshops, disaster preparedness courses, homework help for the children, and more. This neighborhood will also include services specifically designed for veterans and their families; this includes PTSD counseling, A Window Between Worlds therapeutic art programs for trauma victims, veteran peer-to-peer dialogue, domestic violence counseling, ensuring connections to benefits and more.

“We encourage any veterans interested in this great opportunity to own a home to contact Habitat for Humanity as soon as possible to apply for one of these homes currently under construction in Sylmar and for those to be constructed in Santa Clarita in a few months,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “Veterans should get their applications in as soon as possible so they can hopefully move into their new home within 18-24 months.”

This opportunity is wonderful for veterans of any age, branch of service, or conflict. Minimum qualifications include Honorable Character of Discharge, and a minimum household income of $45,000 (Sylmar) or $53,000 (Santa Clarita). Income includes any Social Security or VA disability payments.

Contact: Habitat for Humanity SF/SCV Family Services
Phone: 818-884-8808
Email: FamilySelection@HumanityCA.org