OILDALE, Calif. — The California Veterans Assistance Foundation is in the process of transforming a plot, located off of Covey Avenue, over the next 90 days.
The Oildale neighborhood will soon be home to a housing community called the Covey Cottages for Veterans.
"The target is going to be low-income veterans over the age of 55 that are not eligible for housing subsidies anywhere else," said Deborah Johnson, president, and CEO of California Veterans Assistance Foundation.
The community will consist of 12 tiny homes and a community center for veterans.
The studio-style homes are expected to rent for qualified veterans from $300 to $500.
"With this project,[ veterans] they will be interviewed they will be assessed by my staff and we will determine what their vulnerability for housing is," Johnson said. "We are going to make sure we match the appropriate veteran to the right housing choice."
The organization says that they understand there is a housing concern for the homeless in the community, especially veterans.
Johnsons says they hope to do future housing projects with other homeless groups.
"We know that homeless numbers have increased and in the veteran population," Johnson said. "What hasn’t increased is affordable housing for that population. This is a new and innovative way to serve a population in our community."
The organizations showed the county blueprints of the 400 square foot tiny homes for approval.
The homes will be able to house a veteran's family of up to three.
"The county just issued us a conditional use permit and we are getting ready to get started because it's a raw piece of dirt we are going to get ready to put those houses up," said Jacob Balfanz, project manager for John Balfanz homes.
"The next step up is to get with the building department at the county and apply for a building permit."
CVAF shared this is a donation-based housing project and will continue to need community contributions and skill-based services.
"We did not use state or federal money to do this because we wanted to be able to serve a vet population that is not served though state or federal money," Johnson said.
CVAF wants to remind the community that if they would like to donate or have questions to reach out to them directly at 661-873-4600.
