New Apartment Complex Opens for Veterans
Video by Emily Thornburg
Residents and guests of Boyle Heights gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of the first Senior Veterans Permanent Supportive Housing in East Los Angeles.
The complex, which is called the Guy Gabaldon Apartments: Housing for Senior Veterans, provides 32 one-bedroom units to low-income senior U.S. veterans over the age of 55.
Co-developers East L.A. Community Corporation (ELACC) and New Directions for Veterans (NDVets) accompanied over one hundred and fifty people at the event.
According to a report in 2011 there were roughly 856 homeless veterans in East Los Angeles County with 45% of these people being over the age of 55.
Tony Zapata, a commander for veterans in East L.A., says that “the words homeless and vets should never go together."
Zapata was called in roughly three years ago to help out with the new complex. It is named after Guy Gabaldon, a private first class veteran that grew up in Boyle Heights and served in World War II.
The new complex, which was funded by Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, "is a great new addition that provides our deserving veterans with a beautiful home to spend the rest of their senior years," said Zapata.
These units are named after my Uncle Guy. I live in O.C. and plan on paying a visit soon. Guy Gabaldon has a sister my Aunt that is living in Southern Calif.