Kensington Campus
PROJECT SUBTYPES
Date Complete
On the Boards
Location
Avenue I, Lancaster
Owner/Developer
In-Site Development
Total Units
52
Lot Area
659,498
Building Area
26,363
Awards
In response to urgent human needs, the City of Lancaster launched a high-priority initiative in 2017 to create a sustainable, long-term solution to homelessness. With a mandate from the Mayor to deliver housing within a year, the City provided land and called upon local partners to transform vision into action.
With over a decade of experience working in Lancaster’s downtown core, InSite Development and Lahmon Architects collaborated to realize Kensington Campus, an innovative, resilient community built around a spectrum of human relationships. Now completed, the 14-acre campus integrates with nearby commercial, recreational, and residential areas, serving as an open, inclusive environment that promotes well-being, empowerment, and collective enterprise.
Amenity-rich and community-oriented, The Crescent provides spaces that foster both activity and relaxation — including a dog-friendly rear terrace overlooking the river, pool and spa, outdoor kitchen and dining areas, fitness room, media room, business center with a front patio, and a two-story club room connecting residents socially and visually to the neighborhood. An extra-wide landscaped side yard links the property directly to the adjacent river walking path, extending the project’s benefits beyond its walls and integrating it into the broader public realm of Studio City.
The first phase accommodates approximately 300 residents—primarily individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness—across a range of housing types that reflect each resident’s readiness for independence, from prefabricated sleeping pods and shared shelters to permanent supportive housing villas. This graduated model fosters stability, dignity, and personal growth.
A meandering pedestrian spine organizes the campus, linking community spaces, villas, pods, shelters, and gardens, and encouraging natural social interaction. Shared commercial and agricultural ventures invite residents to participate in meaningful work, building a foundation for long-term self-sufficiency.
Supported by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC), California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC), and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and designed to achieve LEED certification, Kensington Campus stands as a model for community-based recovery and resilience—a place where thoughtful design empowers lives and fosters lasting transformation.