Barger Celebrates Grand Opening of The Emerald, A New Beacon of Hope in Lancaster’s Fight Against Homelessness

Lancaster, CA.- Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger joined LA Family Housing, LAFHBUILDS, and a coalition of public and private partners today to celebrate the grand opening of The Emerald, a brand-new permanent supportive and affordable housing development in Lancaster. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held under clear skies with a festive and hopeful energy in the air, marked a major milestone in the County’s efforts to combat homelessness and housing insecurity in the Antelope Valley.

“This is what progress looks like—concrete solutions, strong partnerships, and compassion in action,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Fifth District, including the Antelope Valley. “The Emerald is more than just a building—it’s a place where people can rebuild their lives with dignity, stability, and the support they deserve. I’m proud to stand with our partners today to say that homelessness is not just being addressed—it’s being tackled head-on.”

Located at 2720 West Ave K 12, The Emerald brings 72 much-needed housing units to the region—35 designated as permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless families, and 36 for low-income families facing housing instability. Residents will benefit from comprehensive on-site wraparound services including mental health support, case management, and substance use treatment, helping them regain independence and stability.

“The Emerald is a natural addition to LA Family Housing’s growing presence in the Antelope Valley,” said LA Family Housing’s CEO & President, Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, explaining why they sought out a locale in the area for a new development. 

The celebration drew community members, partners, and civic leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tours, and lunch. A sense of hope and purpose filled the event, reflecting the positive impact this development promises to bring.

The Emerald is the result of a powerful collaboration between LA Family Housing, its real estate affiliate LAFHBUILDS, Los Angeles County agencies, and funding partners including the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), Department of Mental Health (DMH), National Equity Fund (NEF), California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC), Bank of America, and The W.M. Keck Foundation.

Guest speakers at the event included Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, President and CEO of LA Family Housing; Elda Mendez-Lemus, Executive Director of LAFHBUILDS; Emilio Salas, Executive Director of LACDA; Theion Perkins, Senior Deputy Director at DMH; Debbie Burkart of NEF; Jennifer Quevedo of CCRC; and Garrett Gin of Bank of America.

The audience also heard from an Emerald resident, Koya, who spoke about her journey from incarceration and homelessness to moving into The Emerald with her sons. She thanked the funding partners who attended the event, adding, “You didn’t just give us shelter. You gave us hope. You gave me my dignity back. And for that, I will always be grateful.”

“This Grand Opening demonstrates what we can accomplish when local leadership, service providers, and financial institutions come together with a shared mission,” added Supervisor Barger. “Together, we are creating more than homes—we’re creating opportunities for healing and renewal.”

Residents, staff, and partners alike now look forward to the lasting change The Emerald will bring to the Lancaster community.

Photo credit: Melinda Rodriguez/LA County