Community HousingWorks Opens Home for Disabled Veterans and Families in Escondido

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

Escondido, Calif.—Community HousingWorks has set aside eight units for homeless veterans in its newest development, Avocado Court, a 36-unit apartment community in Escondido, Calif., that is available for families, seniors and other individuals.

Located at 215 East El Norte Parkway in Escondido, the community is situated near public transportation, employment, shopping centers, schools, the Escondido VA Medical Clinic and veterans’ services groups.

“Avocado Court is important because it targets our most vulnerable veterans—those with identified disabilities, who have been chronically homeless,” Sylvia Martinez, Avocado Court’s project manager, tells MHN. “These veterans need support to obtain and remain successfully in their housing. Avocado Court is also about choice; not all veterans want to live in downtown San Diego, or to live in a veteran-only property. Particularly, women veterans frequently prefer a family project because they have children or because they suffer from Military Sexual Trauma.”

Avocado Court provides a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and are available to veterans at 30 percent of their income. The community was designed to meet the prestigious California Green Point Rated criteria, assuring that the units are energy efficient, less expensive to heat and cool, and built with clean durable materials.

The community boasts a multi-purpose community building incorporating the office, laundry room, community kitchen, learning center, free Wi-Fi hot spot, and computer room available to residents of all ages. There’s also a community garden.

“Celebrating Escondido’s agricultural heritage, the 9,400-square-foot community garden (open to residents and members of the wider community) will promote healthy eating habits, save people money on groceries, and engage a multi-ethnic and intergenerational group of local residents in a fun, family oriented activity,” Martinez says.

All of Avocado Court’s residents will have opportunities to take advantage of youth and family services including financial fitness and after-school programs. Interfaith Community Services is providing supportive services to the veterans as part of CHW’s permanent supportive housing program. Several homes are fully handicapped accessible and one includes a roll-in shower to allow easy access for a person confined to a wheelchair.

“HousingWorks firmly believes that with the stability of a good home, an inspiring goal, powerful tools, and the community’s compassion and support, people can change their futures and move up in the world,” Martinez says. “Through our comprehensive programs, we proudly serve over 8,000 children and adults each year. Our classes and coaching and financial health club, open to the veterans and residents of Avocado Court, help people achieve goals such as getting out of debt, building credit, buying a home, getting a job, or going to college.”

The community is located in North San Diego County, very close to USMC Camp Pendleton (San Diego’s largest employer, with 38,000 military and their families), and a familiar location to many veterans.