CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council has approved the conceptual design of a veteran's housing project in the city.

The project involves the collaboration of multiple agencies including the county of Lake, which has donated 16 acres for use in the project.

“(The county) has been looking for something to do with that property and some funding has become available to possibly do some building there,” District 1 Supervisor Jeff Smith said.

The property is located at 15837 18th Ave., just east of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake.

The project would provide veterans with affordable housing options and include other functions such as a community center, as well as mental health and other services. It is not to serve as a homeless shelter.

The county will be working with Veterans Resource Centers of America, or VRCA, in developing the project.

The VRCA has extensive experience in similar projects and provided the council with a slideshow presentation late last month showcasing projects it has completed in other areas.

Bert McChesney of VRCA and Veterans Housing Development Corp. said the project would provide veterans with opportunities for affordable home ownership as well as lease options on apartments.

He said amenities would be identified and developed with the participation of the community.

“We have some ideas that we would have to work with (the city) and the county to develop,” McChesney said.

The project is anticipated to be funded through use of Proposition 41 Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014.

McChesney said funds will be sought in the second round of funding in early 2016.

The initial round of homeowner recruitment will come from Lake County with preference given to veterans, McChesney said.

Recruitment could extend out-of-county and to nonveteran participants after the needs of area veterans are satisfied.

According to City Manager Joan Phillipe, a project of this nature, funded by the resources identified, must be maintained for the intended purpose for a period of 55 years.

Frank Parker, president of the United Veterans Council – which includes the participation of every chartered veterans organization in Lake County – said years of effort has been exhausted in trying to get the state to recognize the rural veteran community.

“We have a heck of an opportunity here,” Parker said.

“What is happening here is historical. We have a rural county with a crying need,” Dean Gotham, president of the Vietnam Veterans Council, said. “We can show the rural counties of California that we can all take care of our veterans.”

All members of the council voiced their support of such a project.

“This is all aligning for a reason and we need to say 'what can we do,'” Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said. “Anytime we can help a group in the community, we are helping ourselves.”

In providing its approval for conceptual design, the city also agreed to waive any fees that may be associated with the preparation of any potential general plan or zoning code amendment. Phillipe said neither is likely to be required.

However, housing bond funds could cover such a cost as it would be an expenditure allowed because the project addresses low-income housing needs, she said.

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