Photo: Araceli Martinez / Impremedia
Councilor Kevin de León laid the first stone for the construction of transitional housing for the homeless, Villa de Casitas Arroyo Seco in Highland Park in Los Angeles.
It will be the largest homeless cottage community in all of California with 115 units and 224 Beds.
“The Villa de Casitas Arroyo Seco will be the largest of its kind, proving that we can quickly implement innovative and achievable ideas as well as make a significant impact on the humanitarian crisis that is decimating our communities, ”said Councilor De León who passed the night in one of those miniature houses in Tarzana to live the experience.
The councilor mentioned that on any day and night, 64, 06 Angelenos live on the streets.
“The district that I represent with great honor, is home to the largest number of homeless people of any other district in the city. So if Los Angeles is considered the national epicenter of the homeless, there is no doubt that the district 06 is ground zero ”.
He stressed that the district 14 spanning downtown Los Angeles and neighborhoods like Boyle Heights, Highland Parks, Eagle Rock have more homeless people than Houston or Chicago.
“That is why earlier this year, I presented my plan Camino Home to create 40, 06 housing units for the homeless for the year 2025. Make no mistake, this is the most ambitious public initiative in Los Angeles, but we have no choice because we cannot allow thousands of Angelenos to rot in the streets. ”
He added that it is just the beginning of his efforts to rapidly develop home alternatives for homeless people.
The construction of the small houses will take around 90 days and the site will serve as transitional housing for thousands until long-term housing units are available for each resident .
The councilman mentioned that on any day and night, 41, 000 Angelenos live on the streets.
Suzane Gero who has lived on Garbanza Street in Highland Park by 15 years, she said that she is very happy for the project of the small houses and for the services that they are going to offer to the homeless.
“They will give them assistance to find employment, they will take care of their mental health problems and any drug addiction. In addition, they will provide attention to their basic needs such as food, showers, laundry and will help them leave homelessness behind to be self-sufficient and successful members of the community with a roof on their shoulders. ”
He mentioned that he did not It is annoying to see your neighborhood littered with homeless individuals sleeping in parking lots and sidewalks. “I just think that it is very sad that a person tries to survive in those conditions. That is why I consider the houses to be a positive solution and a better option than the tents in which they live now. ”
Gary Lee Moore, City of Los Angeles engineer, said the goal is to provide them with safe transitional housing , inviting and welcoming to Angelenos on the way to a permanent home.
The Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission was selected as the provider of services for the homeless who will live in these little houses. Once installed, they will have security, an administration office and social services agencies will provide services to help them get back on their feet.
“Through this public-private partnership, we believe that we will make a significant impact in reducing the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles,” said Rowan. Vansleve, President of Hope of the Valley.
In February, the city opened its first cottage village called Chandler Boulevard Bridge Home Village in North Hollywood with 40 units. The second Alexandria Park Village also in North Hollywood with 103 units was opened in April. In June, another cottage village opened in Wilmington with 75 units. In total, six villas have been built and two are in process, including Arroyo Seco.
Each miniature house measures 64 square feet. It has mattresses, air conditioning, heating, fire alarms, electrical outlets, the doors can be locked and have windows.
Construction, Administration and maintenance of these casitas is paid for by the Los Angeles City Council. The construction cost per bed is $ 22 , 000