San Bernardino County supervisors voted unanimously to support Legacy Village, a planned 452-bed student and workforce housing development across from San Bernardino Valley College, and conditionally committed $28 million from the Foster Youth Campus Reserve toward its construction. The project, led by the San Bernardino Community College District, is designed to combine affordable housing, workforce residences and student accommodations on a 15-acre site at 701 S. Mt. Vermont Ave.
The board's action does not guarantee the county's contribution outright. According to San Bernardino County, the commitment is conditional, and further action is required under the resolution before funding is formally approved. Any eventual funding agreement must still return to the Board of Supervisors for consideration at a future meeting, as reported by Hey SoCal.
County leaders framed the vote as a statement of intent rather than a finished deal. Board Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said expanding affordable housing for transitional-age youth supports stability, independence and long-term success. Vice Chair and 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. described the development as an investment in young people, the regional workforce and the county's future, adding that the project would connect young people with housing, educational programs, career opportunities and resources to support financial independence.
What's Actually Being Built
Under the current plan, Jamboree Housing Corp. would develop 88 affordable housing units, while The Annex Group LLC would oversee 180 workforce housing units and 461 student housing beds — figures that differ slightly from the 452 student beds and 180 workforce units described in project materials from HPI Architecture, which also describes the project as a 15-acre mixed-use development spread across four four-story buildings with neighborhood-serving retail. The architecture firm's materials note a mix of dormitory-style and apartment-style units intended to offer flexibility for a range of housing needs, along with shared amenities, landscaped open spaces and pedestrian-friendly circulation meant to foster daily interaction among residents.
Beyond housing itself, Legacy Village plans to provide approximately 9,100 square feet for flexible uses and food services, plus another 9,280 square feet for conferences and community gatherings. The development is expected to connect residents with education and job training, childcare, transportation, physical and behavioral health services, and other community resources — all aimed at helping residents maintain stable housing while pursuing education, entering the workforce and improving long-term economic prospects.
A Focus on Foster Youth Aging Out of Care
Legacy Village could provide transitional housing for former foster youth entering adulthood, and the project is intended to support reduced housing insecurity, employment preparation and neighborhood revitalization more broadly. San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke said collaboration is important to addressing community needs and that Legacy Village could benefit residents throughout the region.
The housing gap facing young people leaving foster care is well documented. Former foster youth face particularly acute housing challenges once they leave the care system and enter adulthood without built-in family support, according to EdSource. The outlet has reported that only 8% of foster youth nationally had earned an associate or bachelor's degree by age 26, and that in 2018, just 53% of California foster youth graduated from high school compared with 83% of all students.
California already runs several programs meant to close that gap. The state's Transitional Housing Program is designed to give current and former foster youth additional supports to transition to independence while reducing risks of homelessness, unemployment and instability, per the California Department of Social Services. Separately, the state's Transitional Age Youth Program, administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, prioritizes housing assistance for young adults ages 18 to 24 who are currently or formerly in the foster care or probation systems.
Statewide, demand for these supports far outpaces capacity. Up to 25,000 students across California's community college system have identified as current or former foster youth, but only about 3,500 participate in the state's NextUp program, which receives roughly $20 million a year and operates at 45 of the state's 115 community colleges, EdSource reported. Other existing options include Transitional Housing Placement-Plus, which provides housing for up to three years for former foster youth between 18 and 24, and a program described by the Foundation for California Community Colleges that offers affordable housing with case management and wraparound services for up to 24 months, plus annual grants of up to $4,500 for college or career training during the 2025–26 award year.
District Leaders Pitch Legacy Village as a Turning Point
San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez said stable housing can help students continue their education and improve opportunities for their families. She said having a stable place to live can make the difference between putting college on hold and earning a degree that changes a family's future, and described Legacy Village as a project that would unite housing, education and support services for local students and families. Rodriguez thanked county leaders for supporting the project.
County supervisors said their vote was intended to advance planning, encourage additional funding pursuits, and help coordinate housing, community spaces and support services tied to the project. The county's action follows earlier work on youth housing in the region: a December 2023 county announcement noted the Board of Supervisors had supported creating a San Bernardino County Family Campus, a transitional living facility meant to provide housing and services for foster children and youth with complex needs and their families, according to San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino Community College District provided the conceptual rendering of Legacy Village that accompanied the county's announcement.
