Actor Christian Bale launches $22 million foster village in Palmdale

Together California, a $22 million foster-care village in Palmdale, held its grand opening on Sept. 9 and plans to admit its first children this October. The complex, created by LA-based architects A.C. Martin, features a central courtyard, gardens, a playground and 12 homes each licensed for up to six foster children under a full-time certified foster parent.

By grouping large sibling sets, the village aims to solve a common problem of caseworkers having to separate brothers and sisters. Two studio units provide temporary shelter for birth parents working toward reunification and for transitional-age youth seeking independence. On-site services will include counseling, tutoring and parenting classes, reducing the need for families to travel far for support. The project was financed through $1.06 million from Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office, a $1.2 million Palmdale housing grant and $3 million in county loans, after Bale and partners bought the land in 2022.