1981: Vietnam Veterans of San Diego was founded by a group of Vietnam veterans.

1984: The “Landing Zone,” a 44-bed licensed alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility, opened on 11th Avenue with funding from County Alcohol and Drug Services.

1988: VVSD founded Stand Down and served more than 650 homeless veterans. Today, more than 200 Stand Downs take place across the country every year based on VVSD’s model. In 2010, a record 947 veterans and family members participated in Stand Down.

The same year “Dust Off,” an 18-bed transitional housing facility, opened on 5th Avenue.

1990: VVSD moved to 4141 Pacific Highway, its current headquarters and home of the Veterans Rehabilitation Center. The facility was originally a 1940s-style motel.

1990-1992: VVSD raised nearly $1 million to remodel the motel rooms into an 80-bed licensed alcohol and drug rehabilitation center.

1995: VVSD established New Resolve, a 44-bed sober living center in Escondido.

1996: San Diego State University Sociologist Richard Hough completed a two-year scientific study of our Rehabilitation Center and concluded, “The social model program offered by VVSD is more effective than other known and tested rehabilitations for this (veteran) population.”

1997: In partnership with the City of San Diego, VVSD opened the first emergency shelter for homeless veterans.

1999: VVSD introduced the Welcome Home Family Program, a first-of-its-kind residential facility for homeless female veterans and their families.

2001: The VA awarded VVSD nearly $1 million to add 80 beds to our Rehabilitation Center. Peter Dougherty, the VA’s director of homeless veterans programs, declared, ”There is no finer program for homeless veterans in America than Vietnam Veterans of San Diego.”

The same year, VVSD created Homeless Court in partnership with San Diego Deputy Public Defender Steve Binder and founders of the San Diego Child Support Program.

2005: Vietnam Veterans of San Diego changed its name to Veterans Village of San Diego.

2006: Phase One expansion of the Rehabilitation Center was completed. More rooms were added, along with a counseling center, kitchen and dining hall.

2008: VVSD dedicated the Veterans Rehabilitation Center courtyard in honor of Paul E. Nenner, a retired Air Force Officer.

2009: Phase Two expansion of the Veterans Rehabilitation Center – a new intake center, an Employment and Training department, medical offices and administrative offices opened.

2010: Phase Three expansion, construction of Veterans On Point Apartments, was completed. It’s comprised of 16 three-bedroom, three-bath units.

2013: Phase Four construction, affordable housing units for veterans in need, was completed, comprised of 12 studio apartments with two beds each.