The Cove opens at Long Beach's Century Villages at Cabrillo

An official ceremony held by Century Housing marks the opening of The Cove, a new affordable housing development at the Century Villages at Cabrillo in Long Beach.

The four-story building, located at 2221 W. Williams Street, features 90 apartments reserved exclusively for veterans who were formerly homeless and earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income level. All residents are referred through the Coordinated Entry System, and are provided supportive services by the VA Long Beach Healthcare System and Century Oasis Residential Services. 90-unit development will cater exclusively to veterans.

Ribbon-cutting for The CoveCentury Housing

"After serving seven and a half years in the U.S. Army, life took an unexpected turn. In 2017, I lost my job as a mechanic and eventually found myself without a home. For a time, I lived in my car while working full-time," said Cove resident Jason Smith, who served in Afghanistan. "By 2021, I was working at a warehouse that supplied materials for what would become The Cove—never imagining it would one day become my home. After months in transitional housing, I finally have a stable place to call my own. Life has a way of coming full circle, and for that, I’m deeply grateful."

The Architects Collective designed The Cove, while general contractor Walton Construction Services served as general contractor. The building is a contemporary low-rise structure including a podium courtyard, classrooms, a gym, and offices for case management providers.

Funding sources for The Cove for the Cove included the City of Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, and Wells Fargo.

Exterior of The CoveWalton Construction

The surrounding Century Villages complex, which spans 27 acres, was initially developed in the 1950s to provide housing for employees of the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Following the closure of the shipyard in 1997, the property was transferred to the ownership of the City of Long Beach. Today the property is home to 1,500 residents, roughly 700 of whom are veterans - a figure that is likely to expand under a new master plan for the complex.

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