For 40 years, Monterey Rentals has been rooted in one simple idea: Homes are more than walls and roofs — but the foundation for dignity, stability and belonging.
As part of our 40th anniversary celebration this year, we launched Homes with Heart, a year-long giving initiative investing directly in local nonprofits that provide housing and stability across Monterey County. From January through March, the program proudly supports the Veterans Transition Center of California (VTC), based in Marina on the historic grounds of Fort Ord.
Filling a critical gap for Veterans
Since 1996, VTC has provided meals, clothing, housing, case management and comprehensive support services to Veterans who are homeless or transitioning from incarceration. But what many people don’t realize is the specific gap VTC fills.
When service members leave the military, the transition is not always smooth. Some face untreated trauma, mental health challenges or substance use disorders. Others struggle with employment gaps, lack of affordable housing or the stigma that can follow incarceration. While federal and state benefits exist, navigating those systems can be overwhelming — especially for someone already in crisis.
That’s where VTC steps in.
Unlike many housing programs, VTC welcomes Veterans with their families and even their pets — a crucial difference. For Veterans with children or a spouse, or those whose emotional stability depends on a companion animal, this policy can mean the difference between seeking help and staying on the streets.
“Our resources for Veterans is always 24/7, so everything that they need, we provide that for them,” said Lisa Kincaid, a representative from the VTC.
That round-the-clock support includes:
● Emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing
● Job training and workforce development
● Mental health services
● Case management and reentry support
● Basic necessities such as meals and clothing
The result is not just temporary shelter, but a pathway toward long-term stability and independence.
Understanding Veteran homelessness & reentry
Veteran homelessness is often invisible. Many people assume that those who served their country are fully supported once they return home. The reality is more complex.
Some Veterans leave service without strong family networks. Others return to communities with a high cost of living — like Monterey County — where housing can be out of reach. For Veterans who have been incarcerated, reentry presents additional barriers: limited job prospects, restricted housing options and the challenge of rebuilding trust and stability.
Without transitional housing and structured support, it becomes extremely difficult to break the cycle. VTC fills that gap by creating an environment where Veterans can stabilize, access services, develop job skills and rebuild their lives with dignity. It is housing with purpose — and with heart.
Why this matters to us
For Monterey Rentals founder Jan Leasure, supporting VTC is deeply personal. As the wife of a former Fort Ord serviceman, she first came to Monterey because of the military.
Over four decades, she built Monterey Rentals from a small teacher-run operation into a respected property management company serving thousands of residents and visitors. Yet throughout that growth, one principle remained constant: community comes first.
“As we celebrate four decades of service, we want to make our gratitude visible,” Leasure said at the launch of Homes with Heart. “This business has always been about more than properties. It’s about people.”
Through Homes with Heart, a portion of guest stays and rental bookings directly supports VTC and other nonprofit partners throughout the year. Monterey Rentals also donates gently used linens and furnishings from vacation homes to help VTC residents create comfortable, welcoming living spaces.
Every reservation becomes part of something bigger.
Homes with Heart: A legacy of giving
We will support four nonprofit partners in 2026:
● Quarter 1: Veterans Transition Center of California
● Quarter 2: Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay
● Quarter 3: I-HELP Monterey Bay
● Quarter 4: Alliance on Aging Monterey County
Together, these organizations address housing insecurity across generations — from Veterans and working families to individuals experiencing homelessness and seniors in need of advocacy and support. Now, through our partnership with VTC, that belief extends to the men and women who once wore the nation’s uniform — and who deserve stability, dignity and a place to rebuild.
