Fact Check: 'Batman' actor Christian Bale is building a village for foster children in California
Actor Christian Bale is building 12 homes in a $22 million village in Palmdale, California, that aims to keep siblings in the foster-care system together.
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In July 2025, a claim (archived) circulated that "Batman" actor Christian Bale would live up to his character's reputation as a wealthy do-gooder by building 12 homes in a $22 million village in Palmdale, California, that aimed to keep siblings in the foster-care system together.
One popular Reddit version of the claim, titled "Guy might actually be Bruce Wayne.." detailed the plans for the village, praising Bale's intention to change the lives of vulnerable children.
Guy might actually be Bruce Wayne..byu/MobileAerie9918 innextfuckinglevel
The claim circulated on X (archived), Instagram (archived) and Facebook (archived). Snopes readers also searched our site for more information about the rumor.
The heartwarming claim is true. Bale and Together California, a charity founded by the actor; his wife, Sibi; and University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Eric Esrailian, broke ground on the project in 2024. According to Together California, the village, located near Palmdale, will feature 12 homes and a community center. The project was estimated to cost $22 million at the time of the groundbreaking, according to international media.
According to Together California's Facebook page (archived), construction remained ongoing in late June 2025. In May 2025, CBS reported the village was hoping to welcome its first children "next year."
CBS also reported that "trained foster parents" would take care of the children living in the village.
According to AC Martin, the architects on the project, Together California's "Village for Brothers and Sisters" will feature 12 town house units for children in foster care, two studio units for young adults transitioning out of the foster-care system, a 7,000-square-foot community building and outdoor space.
Bale first got involved with the U.S. foster-care system in 2008, according to CBS, after considering what would happen to his own daughter if she were left without her parents.
DALTON, ANDREW. "Christian Bale Breaks Ground on Foster Homes He's Fought for 16 Years to See Built." AP News, 7 Feb. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/christian-bale-foster-homes-palmdale-dark-knight-0f7e046c7bd1c636efd78d44947fc1a6.
Gardner, Chris. "Christian Bale Breaks Ground on 16-Year Passion Project: 12 New Homes for Foster Children." The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/christian-bale-foster-children-village-together-california-1235819256/.
"Our Village." Together California, https://togethercalifornia.org/our-village/. Accessed 19 June 2025.
Shoard, Catherine. "Christian Bale Unveils Plans to Build 12 Foster Homes in California." The Guardian, 8 Feb. 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/feb/08/christian-bale-to-build-12-foster-homes-in-california.
Smith, Tracy, and Jennifer Earl. Christian Bale's on a Mission to Keep Foster Siblings Together. For Him, It's the Role of a Lifetime. - CBS News. 18 May 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-bales-on-a-mission-to-keep-foster-siblings-together-for-him-its-the-role-of-a-lifetime/.
Together California. "Together California Had the Incredible Opportunity to Sit down with CBS Sunday Morning and Speak about the Mission That Drives Us Every Day. ." Facebook, 7 June 2025, https://www.facebook.com/togetherca/posts/pfbid02fFJzkhfyKMsDxxF2SGJThzf9T7UWNyqjSFCZE2XvwNHue2d1G63hkZyg6HVH6c2Cl.
Together California: A Village for Brothers & Sisters. https://www.acmartin.com/portfolio/together-california-village-brothers-sisters. Accessed 19 June 2025.
Williams, Martha. "Christian Bale Breaks Ground on 12 Foster Homes in California." Mail Online, 9 Feb. 2024, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13066491/bruce-wayne-christian-bale-foster-homes.html.
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