The Century Villages at Cabrillo, one of Long Beach’s largest affordable housing developments, was approved for renovations and expansions throughout the next decade on Tuesday night by City Council.
Currently, the Villages at Cabrillo house roughly 1,500 individuals on any given night who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It sits slightly west of Signal Hill and Northwest of Downtown Long Beach and is surrounded by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School, a Cal State Long Beach Research Center, Long Beach Job Corps Center and Terminal Island Freeway.
“The Villages at Cabrillo has been an awesome development. They’ve been doing great work with homeless veterans and homeless individuals over the years,” said Councilmember Robert Uranga, whose district houses The Villages.
After receiving the 27-acre property from a former U.S. Naval housing facility in 1997, the Villages at Cabrillo nonprofit was created to provide affordable housing. The Century Villages at Cabrillo Specific Plan was created in April 2022 and outlined goals and strategies for the City to demolish and redevelop portions of The Villages in order to meet the increasing demands of homelessness.
The Planning Commission recommended the City Council to approve zoning changes to the Cal State Long Beach Research Center and other areas of the campus. Council will return within 60 days to approve the changes.
One goal is to demolish 235 of the existing 865 residential units and build a new 750 units. By the end of developments, The Villages will contain 1,380 housing units along with convenience stores, a cafeteria, a weight-training room, faith services and a senior center.
The developments will also expand amenities, educational facilities, commercial/retail buildings, administrative services and 460 parking spaces.
Uranga said that there have been concerns in the community with The Villages being an open campus, meaning there are no encompassing structures and no time frames when the residents are asked to remain on the premises.
The Century Villages at Cabrillo works with over 30 community organizations and nonprofits to provide case management, life skills training, substance abuse treatment, affordable childcare, a homeless education program, an employment and career center, a food service program and a veteran’s medical clinic.
Council approved The Century Villages at Cabrillo Specific Plan 7-0.
