Victorville’s wellness center wins APWA Southern California chapter building award; city highlights Homekey funding and housing placements

The Victorville Wellness Center received the American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter award for best project in the building category, city staff told the City Council on Jan. 21. City officials highlighted the center’s Homekey funding, construction milestones and early outcomes since opening.

City staff said the wellness center originated from the city’s Homeless Solutions Strategic Action Plan, which the council approved in 2019. Staff reported the project received a $28,000,000 Homekey grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development; the council approved the phase‑1 construction contract in March 2022 and awarded the phase‑2 vertical construction contract in August 2022. Staff said the city awarded two contracts for operations in June 2023 and opened the center to the public on Dec. 12, 2023.

In its presentation the city reported that more than 100 people who used the wellness center’s services have moved into permanent housing and that the center’s partners and staff have facilitated client transitions to long‑term housing. At least one slide cited a figure of 111 clients graduating to permanent housing during the first year of operation; the award presentation also noted that the center’s operators and multiple city departments supported the project from planning through operations.

Why it matters: The award recognizes the project’s cross‑departmental work and the wellness center’s role in the city’s strategy to reduce unsheltered homelessness. The Homekey grant provided capital funding; operational contracts were later procured to provide services and case management at the center.

Supporting details reported to the council

- Homekey grant: Staff said the project received a $28,000,000 award from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. - Timeline: Phase‑1 (site grading and underground utilities) was approved and began in spring 2022; the vertical construction contract was awarded in August 2022. The city hosted a public groundbreaking in December 2023 and opened operations on Dec. 12, 2023. - Operators: Staff named the organizations awarded operations contracts in June 2023; those operators were called to assist with running the facility. - Early outcomes: Staff reported more than 100 individuals connected to permanent housing and cited a first‑year tally of 111 graduates to permanent housing.

Meeting context: The award was presented during the council’s regular meeting and was introduced by city staff as part of a recognition segment. Several department directors — including planning, building, code enforcement and the homeless solutions manager — were called to the dais for the photo opportunity.