Victory Village is finally home for 54 low-income seniors. Nestled in a wooded valley in Fairfax, California, the 52,000 square foot building gently terraces into a sloping 2-acre site. 53 1-bedroom and 1 2-bedroom apartments enclose two welcoming open courtyards for resident activities and community garden beds. Inside, community rooms, entry lobbies, and sun-lit corridors furnished with comfortable seating offer multiple spaces for residents to connect. Sustainable features were thoughtfully integrated.
South and west facing photovoltaic and solar thermal panels generate electricity and heat water. Two bioswales running along the length of the building direct winter stormwater into two beautifully planted bioretention basins. A laundry-to-landscape greywater system irrigates drought-tolerant natives in summer months. As the legacy for a Presbyterian congregation, this was Fairfax's largest multifamily residence in 50 years. For over six years, the team overcame some community opposition, coordinated a myriad of local agencies, navigated challenging site conditions, and balanced escalating construction costs.
Perseverance prevailed because the housing need for long-time senior residents was overwhelming. As the Mayor affirmed upon approval, “We are a community which welcomes people of different backgrounds and we can do it sustainably. This project represents who we are as a community.”