Victorville Wellness Center (VWC) is a 26,000sf homeless navigation center built to assist the transition of individuals into stable living situations. The VMC provides non-congregate emergency housing — giving each resident-client their own private, dignified dwelling space — while integrating services for the VMC and the Victorville community. Bundling emergency housing with a range of services creates an environment more akin to a rehabilitation facility than an emergency shelter, de-stigmatizes homelessness, and turns the VWC into a community center. The VWC was built entirely with prefab modules, providing 110 private sleeping rooms, equipped with 170 beds. 10,000sf of community buildings offer support services. The project includes an OSHPD 3 medical clinic — serving both VWC residents and the larger community. VWC’s integrated approach means the on-site chef is alerted to residents’ dietary and medical requirements, provided by on-site healthcare specialists. While the sleeping rooms are small, glass on two sides of each room gives residents access to light, air, and views of the high-desert landscape. Across the campus the extensive use of glass, decking, and courtyard spaces strengthens the connection between public and private and offers up a new model for helping people re-integrate into the community.
Connect Homes (All Modular Prefab Structures); Urban Bloc (Prefab Bathroom Modules); Myung Chung/CMC Architects (Site Layout, AOR); SQLA Landscape Architects; KWC Engineers; Apple Valley Communications (low voltage); Victorville's Homelessness Solutions Taskforce members.