Tag: affordable housing

  • LA Churches Respond to Housing Crisis with Affordable Projects

    LA Churches Respond to Housing Crisis with Affordable Projects

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Los Angeles is facing a severe shortage of housing for low-income renters. Making matters even more difficult is that buying land in such an expensive part of the state is often challenging for affordable housing developers. Together, these two issues create a self-perpetuating cycle, making affordable living a struggle across the city.

    Fortunately, California lawmakers offered one possible answer for where to build when they passed SB 4, a statewide law that took affect earlier this year. It allows religious groups to fast-track new housing on properties they already own, effectively making it so that churches are legally allowed to build housing properties for sale or rental purposes.

    The Catholic Church’s Response to L.A.’s Housing Crisis

    Now, the Catholic church in L.A. plans to do just that. The Archdiocese of L.A. announced Wednesday it will partner with a newly formed nonprofit called Our Lady Queen of Angels Housing Alliance to develop affordable housing in Southern California.

    The church, known for assisting immigrants and feeding unhoused people, aims to use its extensive land holdings to help address the region’s housing crisis. Their first project will be located on Archdiocese land currently used by Catholic Charities. They plan to use the property to construct affordable apartments next to L.A. City College. The goal is for these apartments to be utilized by community college students and youth transitioning out of foster care.

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    Amy Anderson, the executive director for Queen of Angels Housing, said the mission is to confront one of the region’s biggest moral dilemmas head-on. “We’re losing a generation of people to housing insecurity,” said Anderson, who served as L.A.’s Chief Housing Officer under former Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It’s very difficult for people to live in health — mental health, physical health — and for them to get ahead when there’s no physical foundation, no home for which to do that.”

    As school enrollment declines and membership in religious orders dwindles, Queen of Angels Housing could also develop former Catholic schools or convents into housing developments.

    “The properties are in transition because our communities are constantly changing,” Anderson said. “It does create this opportunity to re-evaluate what can be done with that land.”

    According to figures provided by the church, the Archdiocese of L.A. has:

    • 288 parishes
    • 265 elementary and high schools
    • 4.35 million Catholic attendees

    Last year, Muhammad Alameldin, a researcher with UC Berkeley’s Terner Center, and his colleagues published a study that found faith-based organizations and nonprofit colleges across California own enough land suitable for housing development to equal nearly five times the city of Oakland.

    However, Alameldin said it’s one thing for churches to support the idea of new housing on their property — it’s another to construct it.

    At this early stage, it is unclear precisely how much land the Archdiocese intends to put toward housing development. However, local Catholic leaders are signaling that housing will be a growing part of the church’s charitable mission.

    Collaborating with Communities to Build Affordable Housing

    L.A. Archbishop José Gomez will chair the board for Queen of Angels Housing. In a statement, he said, “Through Catholic Charities and our ministries on Skid Row and elsewhere, we have been working for many years to provide shelter and services for our homeless brothers and sisters. With this new initiative, we see exciting possibilities for making more affordable housing available, especially for families and young people.”

    The Catholic church isn’t the only religious organization in L.A. pursuing affordable housing development. The Jewish congregation Ikar is working on a 60-unit project on the site of its offices in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson neighborhood, and the multi-faith organization L.A. Voice has been helping local churches develop early plans for their projects.

  • Developer Shares Plans to Reimagine the Old General Hospital in Boyle Heights into Mixed-Use Housing and Retail Space 

    Developer Shares Plans to Reimagine the Old General Hospital in Boyle Heights into Mixed-Use Housing and Retail Space 

    Image credit: Unsplash

    In a move to revive the landscape of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles County has selected Centennial Partners, a collaboration between Primestor and Bayspring Development, to renovate and transform the historic L.A. County General Hospital. The 90-year-old architectural marvel flaunting grand Art Deco structure once housed medical breakthroughs. Famous as the birthplace of Marilyn Monroe, this iconic hospital is slated to become a mixed-use development project supporting local communities.

    First District L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis has been a driving force behind the revival of Boyle Heights since 2017. She expressed her enthusiasm about the project’s potential impact. Emphasizing the pressing need for affordable housing, especially on the Eastside of Los Angeles, she stated, “This is a historic moment for our community.” According to the county’s Department of Economic Opportunity, Centennial Partners, the developer behind this project, boasts a robust portfolio of over 50 urban impact projects. 

    As outlined in a letter from DEO Director Kelly Lobianco, Centennial Partners proposed this project. The group envisions a multi-faceted transformation of the General Hospital into a vibrant community hub. Their proposed plan includes 800 to 1,000 housing units, with a commitment to dedicate at least 30% of the units to affordable housing. The project also encompasses hotels, medical offices, laboratories, retail space, community services, and substantial parking space. 

    A demand for more affordable housing units was made during the Board of Supervisors meeting. Eva Garcia, an organizer with the Community Power Collective, passionately advocated for 80% affordable housing, reflecting on the community’s urgent need. 

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    In recent years, the Boyle Heights area has faced the challenges of gentrification, resulting in soaring rents and higher rates of homelessness. Repurposing the General Hospital into a restorative village is expected to address these issues. The iconic 19-story building has been non-operational since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. This abandoned property will require extensive restoration, including seismic retrofits, new windows, and other improvements. 

    Referring to the building’s historical significance, Supervisor Solis emphasized its potential role in alleviating the strain on emergency rooms and providing essential care and housing for vulnerable populations. The project’s vision extends beyond housing, as the Board of Supervisors also agreed to develop a mental health urgent care center, a residential withdrawal and management facility, and a mental health rehabilitation center within the complex. 

    Renowned actor and producer Edward James Olmos commended this move during the board meeting, highlighting the importance of upholding people’s dignity by repurposing the iconic county asset. Karen Law, a member of the Chinatown Community Land Trust, acknowledged the complexity of homelessness, shedding light on the need for comprehensive solutions. 

    The Los Angeles Conservancy endorsed the adaptive reuse of the Beaux-Arts building, highlighting its adaptability for humane, new uses. Adrian Scott Fine from the L.A. Conservancy emphasized the potential of the historic building to serve the community in innovative ways. 

    Estimated costs of the renovation project are expected to reach $1 billion and will be executed through a public-private partnership. Supervisor Solis secured $129 million for the General Hospital project that will combine state, federal, and county funds. While the current plan pledges at least 30% affordable housing, negotiations with the developer might lead to a more significant commitment. This shift would align with Supervisor Solis’ goal of addressing the homelessness crisis through more affordable housing units.