LA City Council President Nury Martinez and Mayor Eric Garcetti have jointly announced that 40 local families experiencing homelessness are moving into Parthenia Place — a new apartment complex in North Hills and the council’s first Homekey site, located in Martinez’ Council District 6.
In partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and LA Family Housing (LAFH), this marks the next phase in the City and State’s effort to bring unsheltered residents indoors and protect unhoused Californians in the face of COVID-19.
“Our neighbors sleeping on the streets face a heightened risk of exposure to illness and death, and this pandemic has added another measure of danger and threat to their health and lives,” Garcetti said.
“Parthenia Place is exactly what our state had in mind when it launched Homekey: a safe, permanent home for our most vulnerable Angelenos — a place where they can shed the burden of finding somewhere to rest their heads and focus on keeping themselves, their families, and our communities healthy.”
With a commitment to those most in need, Martinez and the LA Council have dedicated $200 million in CARES Act funding for those experiencing homelessness. Working with the Mayor and HACLA, Martinez helped leverage this commitment with the larger Homekey effort.
The opening of Parthenia Place is the first of 15 properties, including two motels in Council District 6, and featuring more than 750 units and rooms for the unhoused. These were purchased with funds from the State’s Homekey Program and matched with City of Los Angeles’ CARES Act funding approved by the City Council or financing contributed by HACLA.
“I could not be happier for these 40 families who finally have a place to call home in a brand new apartment complex in Council District 6 and the first Project Homekey site to open in the City of Los Angeles,” Martinez said.
“Many of these families come from our motels, where we are actively providing educational assistance to families and children experiencing homelessness. Motels may provide shelter, but they are not conducive for families, especially for growing children suffering through a jolting and confusing experience.”
Martinez went on to say the LA Council was “committed” to working with local, state and federal partners “to do what it takes to secure housing quicker and more efficiently for all in need.”
“As we know, homelessness in Los Angeles county is a pervasive issue,” said Doug Guthrie, President & CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. “We take this very seriously at HACLA and are mobilizing to eradicate this issue by providing solutions.We have several projects currently underway to house homeless individuals and we’re excited about the progress that’s been made thus far.
“We’re also very grateful to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the opportunity to make these projects a reality.”
LAFH will provide on-site support services to promote Parthenia Place residents’ housing stability and family well-being, as well as case management to help these families fully integrate into permanent supportive housing.
HACLA, the long-term owner and manager of the Parthenia Place development, is contributing project-based rental subsidies to ensure that rents are affordable for the families.
In the months ahead, LAFH will be managing a total of five new Homekey sites, a mix of interim and permanent supportive housing.
“We are incredibly grateful for the State and City’s efforts to end homelessness in people’s lives and greatly appreciate the opportunity to house more Angelenos through Project Homekey,” said LAFH President and CEO, Stephanie Klasky Gamer.
“We are in unprecedented times. With far too many Angelenos without work, facing dwindling unemployment benefits, and rents they can no longer afford, the already staggering rate of homelessness in our city will without question increase. Through Homekey, LA Family Housing is poised to meet the growing need for safe and stable interim and permanent supportive housing for our city’s most vulnerable residents.”