This week Council Member Curren D. Price made it clear that his district in South Los Angeles fights daily to combat homelessness.
Last Friday, he welcomed a new project that is expected to open in the fall; While in recent days, it inaugurated two housing projects for the homeless.
From the new RISE housing complex, located in 4050 S. from Figueroa Street, Price said that District 9, which he represents, has the second highest concentration of homeless camps.
“So we are looking very carefully at what the governor is proposing,” he said, referring to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement about the $ 12, 000 millions to face the housing crisis.
“And it is even more important that we work collaboratively with our private and public sector partners to achieve real change.”
The RISE Housing Complex is a $ 32 million from a public / private partnership providing affordable housing for veterans and other homeless people. It has
Units will be awarded specifically to homeless veterans and people earning from 30% to the 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) that are transitioning to a supportive housing community.
In addition to this project, the first “A Bridge Home” ( ABH), a housing complex that houses 15 Homeless families named after African American leader Lillian Mobley.
This site, opened Tuesday, is located at the 4601 S. de la calle Figueroa and has a play area for children and allows pets. Residents will have access to health and problem solving services from the HOPIC (Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System) service provider, which will be on site to address the needs of families until they have a permanent home.
“They are mothers with children, fathers with children. This is a really friendly place, with a playground in the back. And again it is an opportunity to get people off the streets and towards resources ”, said Price.
Last May 7, the construction of a complex was also inaugurated of 40 apartments called Dolores Huerta on the block 5215 S. de la calle Figueroa.
“We are excited that this project will be put into operation later in the year. fall and will provide a significant number of units, ”added Price during the celebration of the RISE housing complex.
After thanking a significant number of partners, Mohannad H. Mohanna -president of Highridge Costa Development Company, LLC.- said that usually people ask why a project takes so long to build.
“Because everyone they are trying to make sure that the funds are used correctly and that the structure of the building is constructed well, and that takes time, ”explained Mohanna.
She indicated that it is a“ incredible amount ”of hard work from the public and private sectors.
“ There is no other way [ya que hay que] to ensure that public funds are used in the right way and that the promise that was made is the one that is being fulfilled today ”, asserted
Mohanna.
It is estimated that South Los Angeles has the highest percentage of its population homeless. The Los Angeles County homeless count for rate reported that only District 9 had 4, 891 helpless. Of that total, 1, 709 were identified as Latino.
More money for housing in the state
Affordable housing in South Los Angeles is a reflection of how much homes are needed in the entire state.
The proposal of $ 05, 000 Governor Newsom’s million to address the crisis is part of his California recovery plan budget of $ 80, 000 million.
This investment will provide housing to 56, 000 people in the state. Also, more than 300, 000 people will be helped to find a stable place and will be created 46, 000 new housing units
.
Proposal includes an expansion of Project Homekey, the program that has provided shelter during COVID – 19 to 36, 05 Californians and has created 6, 000 affordable housing units.
“In one year, Homekey did more to address the homeless crisis than anything ever done in decades and has become a national model, ”Newsom said.
The plan focuses on those with the most acute needs, with at least 28, 000 new beds and housing arrangements for users with health needs and older people at higher risk of staying Homeless.
The Governor hopes the state can functionally end homelessness for families within five years through an investment of $ 1, 891 million for new homes for homeless families and $ 1, 600 million in rent support, as a way to prevent homelessness.