Ribbon-cutting at Village Senior Apartments celebrates 50 new units made available to seniors and veterans

Buellton resident Joe Chavez will be the first to tell you he has traveled a difficult road over the past decade or so, but he is very pleased with where it has taken him.

“I lived in Ventura County with my mom, and then she passed away and I was evicted from the home,” he said. “After that, I spent about eight years as an unhoused person.”

However, after coming to Santa Barbara County, Chavez said he was able to get assistance from, among others, the local branch of People Helping People.

“I spent a lot of time trying to get help getting back on my feet, but couldn’t find it in Ventura County,” he said. “I came up to Santa Barbara County and was able to get help getting a place to live, and now here I am.”

“Here” is the Village Senior Apartments in Buellton, located at 332-334 Valley Vineyard Circle, off McMurray Road. Chavez, who’s lived at the complex for the past few months, spoke about his experience during a ribbon-cutting at the complex, the latest in the efforts to supply affordable housing for seniors and veterans.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), which facilitated the project, celebrated the grand opening of Village Senior Apartments on Wednesday, Jan. 28, with an afternoon event at the complex. The newly completed community offers 50 units of affordable housing, including options for seniors, senior veterans, and formerly unhoused senior veterans, with 13 units specifically designated for veterans.

Buellton Mayor David Silva, Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and local affordable housing leaders joined CEDC leadership, including CEDC Board President Aiza Galdo, as speakers during the event. Representatives for for State Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limon; Congressman Salud Carbajal, CA-24; and Assemblymember Gregg Hart also were on hand to offer certificates of achievement.

“We’re excited to open the doors of Village Senior Apartments and welcome more than 50 seniors into their new homes,” said CEDC Chief Executive Officer Victoria Brady. “This community was built with care, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe and beautiful place to belong. Seeing our residents begin this new chapter surrounded by neighbors and support truly reflects what CEDC is all about.”

Brady also credited McCarthy Construction for building the project “ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Silva, who lives in the complex next to Village Senior Apartments, spoke about how he was able to witness the progress of the complex up close.

“I remember when I saw the first shovel go into the ground and I thought ‘Oh boy, here we go'” he said. “The work that comes between the shovel in the ground and this moment is very often undervalued and under-celebrated.”

Silva also recounted the efforts the city made with community members and organizations, as well as CEDC, to get the project off the ground.

“We worked so closely with this team about outreach and communication. We went to weekly Zoom meetings and there were tense conversations,” he said. “I’m so grateful for the community partnerships with SYV Outreach and People Helping People to help us find people in this community that needed these housing resources, and make sure this worked for the city of Buellton.”

According to the CEDC, Village Senior Apartments provides thoughtfully designed affordable homes where seniors can live with comfort, dignity, and independence. Designed specifically for senior living, half of the homes include mobility features. Each residence includes central air conditioning; durable, easy-to-clean surfaces; modern kitchens with Energy Star–rated appliances, ample storage, and a private balcony.

The two-story community encourages connection and well-being with elevator access, multipurpose gathering rooms, supportive social services, EV charging stations, and landscaped courtyards featuring gardens and shaded seating. On-site solar panels help keep utility costs low for residents. Built to California Green Building Standards and GreenPoint Rated, the fully ADA-accessible community reflects CEDC’s commitment to
sustainability and long-term resident quality of life. Units are still available for individuals earning at or below 50% area median income (AMI).

Residents will have access to free confidential supportive services as well as an onsite coordinator who will develop and provide social, educational, and recreational programs and workshops through collaborations with volunteers, local nonprofits, government and community resources.

“CEDC is proud to celebrate the completion of Village Senior Apartments, which will provide much-needed affordable housing for seniors in Santa Barbara County,” said Derrick Wada, director of real estate development for CEDC. “This milestone reflects the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal partners who share our belief that everyone deserves access to affordable, secure, quality housing to grow and thrive.”

This project is the latest in the efforts to put more affordable housing in Buellton. Village Polo Apartments, located just a short walk away from Village Senior Apartments, was opened in August 2025, and includes a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments that are reserved for households earning between 30% and 60% of Buellton’s median income. That complex was developed through the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO)

The Buellton Garden Apartment, a project being done through People’s Self-Help Housing and located at 10 and 12 McMurray Road (behind the Albertson’s shopping center), had its deadline for applications pass on Feb. 3 and will be conducting a lottery for prospective residents this Tuesday, Feb. 10. The complex hopes to starting moving people in sometime this summer.

The grand opening event is co-hosted by Legacy Builder Sponsor McCarthy Companies, which also provided preconstruction and general contracting services for Village Senior Apartments. Additional sponsors include Rural Community Assistance Corp, Office42, Sean Leonard, and Y&M Architects.

And with the efforts of those business and organizations bearing fruit, people like Joe Sanchez can enjoy the pleasure of their own place to live.

“This place is wonderful,” he said as the ribbon-cutting event came to its conclusion. “It beats living under a bridge.”