Venice agency buys 20-unit building to provide affordable housing for homeless

The Venice Community Housing Corp. has bought a $3.6-million apartment building that will be used to provide affordable housing for people who are now homeless. Housing units are expected to become available starting early next year.

The city of Los Angeles, at the recommendation of Councilman Bill Rosendahl, contributed $750,000 toward the purchase. The agency also got an acquisition loan from the Corp. for Supportive Housing, a national nonprofit that helps communities create permanent housing with services.

St. Joseph Center will provide supportive services for new residents in the building. Of the 20 units, 19 will be made available for affordable housing for homeless individuals. Venice Community Housing said in a statement that it owns 13 other buildings in and near Venice, in which it houses about 480 people, 141 of whom had been homeless.

-- Martha Groves

Comments

[Peg]

Oh, goody--can I get a free apartment at the beach too?

[Matt]

yes, you can. and since your sarcasm is implies the resident moving into this building is getting a free ride, have fun putting your kids into venice schools. in fact, the neighborhood is so nice, take the fence down and leave your windows open so the fresh air can come in.

i've lived in venice and the locations of these building are in historically depressed areas. there won't be much improvent in these areas for decades. being given subsidized housing in this neighborhood is the right thing do to, but it's so far from a free ride, that it's not clear it helps anyone. did i mention the gang activity in this area?

[Alex]

St. Joseph Center does amazing work. I'm thrilled they'll be helping people get back in their feet.

[Douglas Parker]

I hope that the people who are awarded the honor of living in such a place are willing to work to benifit and uplift the society of Venice in a way of being role model citizens.
I have not been to Venice in many years.
I have heard that several Gang conflicts have taken place there in recent years.
Venice was a fairly non-violent place in the "70's and "80's but it had a severe problem with attracting drug addicts and alcoholics and other types who were prone to have serious defects of character. That was sad because children need decent role models, and the children of today are the future of tomorrow.
I believe that people can change for the better.
I just hope that this plan of the cities works out and does not backfire and turn into a disaster, such as many projects do across the United States when they end up being over run with crime and the buidings end up having to be condemned.
I just hope that it works out.

[David Blocker]

Is there any chance of making the facility 100 units and relocating Palisades Park's homeless?