Spring 2019 Newsletter

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A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends & Supporters
2019 marks Hollywood Community Housing’s  (HCH) 30th Anniversary and in the past 5 months we have started the construction of 3 buildings and completed the construction of 3 properties which created 144 new apartments, including 25 units for veterans who were previously homeless.   Elected officials and people from all walks of life want to see tangible results in the struggle to address the housing and homelessness crisis in Los Angeles County – and HCH is where words turn into action and dreams turn into reality.  
For the staff and Board of HCH, “Building Stories of Hope” is more than a saying – it is literally and figuratively what we do every day. We literally build the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th stories of new apartment complexes that have an enduring positive impact on neighborhoods. We figuratively build stories of hope by working with residents, many who are formerly homeless, to set goals and to empower people to move forward in their lives with dignity and the peace-of-mind that they can afford the place they call home. 

This spring edition of our newsletter is packed with exciting news about both kinds of “Building Stories of Hope.” We hope you enjoy our stories!

Warmest regards,
Sarah


HCH Celebrates the Opening of its 27th Development

On a beautiful day in January, we celebrated the opening of the Palo Verde Apartments in the City of El Monte. Designed by Shelter LLP and built by Alpha Construction, Palo Verde will serve formerly homeless veterans and low-income families. The development is certified LEED Platinum , the highest level of distinction awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
 
Welcome our Newest Veteran to Palo Verde Apartments
Joe Ramirez – Palo Verde Resident Finds Renewed Strength in New Home

Los Angeles is facing a major humanitarian crisis with the ever increasing number of people entering homelessness. The United Way reports most cases of homelessness are caused by a variety of social and economic factors, including health problems, low wages and unemployment, but the issue of high housing costs combined with an affordable housing shortage continues to contribute to more people entering homelessness than into permanent housing.
Each person experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles has a unique and compelling story to tell. This is Joe’s Story…
 

The Celebration Continues with Two Groundbreaking Events


Florence Mills Apartments
 
In celebration with Los Angeles City Councilman Price, HCH broke ground on the Florence Mills Apartments, located in South Central Los Angeles. The development will feature 74 one, two, and three bedroom apartments, for low-income families and formerly homeless veterans.
 
Florence Mills Groundbreaking Video

Stanford Avenue Apartments
 
In April, community partners, elected officials and local residents joined us for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Stanford Avenue Apartments in the community of West Rancho Dominguez. The development will provide permanent homes for 30 low-income households and 53 formerly homeless families. Los Angeles County Supervisor Ridley-Thomas remarked, “There is no better way to address our homeless crisis than by providing high quality affordable and supportive housing,”

Read More Here


Partner Highlight
 
HCH is proud to partner with companies like Walton Construction for their dedication in ensuring they are hiring within the communities they serve. Here is Alex’s Story…

Growing up in the heart of Los Angeles on Crenshaw Boulevard and 48th Street, a chance encounter would change the path of Alex’s life forever. 
 
“One day I happened to be walking to the store, I was about 19 years old and I saw a construction site and walked in.”
 
Read More Here 

Meet HCHC Resident , Franklin
One thing is certain among our HCH residents, most if not all have found a way to share their stories in a big way and Franklin is a perfect example of this.

Franklin has been a resident of the HCH property Casa Verde for the past 10 years. During this span of time, Franklin has found ways to share his life experience by serving as a facilitator for the Gay and Lesbian Center, where he conducted support groups on homelessness, mental health and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Read More Here 


 

Upcoming Events


HCH Partners with Scholastic Books for 3rd Consecutive Year! 

The Adventures of Captain Underpants? Wings of Fire? The Baby-Sitters Club? These are just a few favorites from our school-aged residents’ wish list this year. 

Join us on June 18th for our 3rd Annual Books, Backpacks and Bright Futures Book Fair at HCH’s Mariposa Apartments. The kids from HCH will receive free vouchers to purchase books of their choice. Please help us expand this program and get books into the hands of more kids this summer by donating here.
DONATE TO BOOKS, BACKPACKS & BRIGHT FUTURES
HCH’s 30th Anniversary Celebration will be on Friday, October 25th at the Dolby Theatre. Sponsorship information is coming soon!
Upcoming Ground Breaking Events:
Gramercy Apartments, Mid-City/Arlington Heights  June 26, 2019 @ 2:30pm


Upcoming Grand Opening Events:

Coronel Apartments, East Hollywood August 22,2019 @ 10:00am

Paul R. Williams Apartments, South Los Angeles TBD