Los Angeles Is Converting Motel Units Into 500 Apartments for Homeless Veterans
In a major step forward toward housing hundreds of homeless veterans, Los Angeles has approved a deal for developers to convert “nuisance” motels into 500 permanent supportive apartments.
Under the deal, developers will purchase underutilized, often run-down motels from private owners and convert them to efficiency apartments.
The city’s housing authority will issue vouchers funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which will cover residents’ rent and provide supportive services, including case management and counseling.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said, “Instead of allowing blighted properties to decay, let’s use them to make powerful change in our communities by giving our veterans the access to services and housing that they need and deserve,”
The city’s housing authority awarded 400 rent vouchers to Shangri-La Construction, a unit of Shangri-La Industries, founded by Hollywood producer Steve Bing, and Step Up on Second, a nonprofit homeless housing agency. The team has 60 days to secure sites.
Volunteers of America will develop 100 units at a motel near its existing project in North Hollywood.
Philip Mangano, the federal homelessness czar under George W. Bush who participated in discussions that led to the deal said, “Nobody else is doing this around the country,”