Cities chip in for new facility
By DAILY PRESS STAFF
CULVER CITY Upward Bound House got the green light earlier this week to move forward with its project to convert a motel here into an emergency shelter for homeless families with minor children, a project that is being partially funded by the city of Santa Monica.
The City Council of Culver City on Jan. 15, voted 3-2 to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision to approve the Santa Monica-based agency’s plans to purchase and convert the SunBay Motel into emergency housing.
The new facility — the only one on the Westside for families with children — will be a vital resource for the growing number of families in crisis in the region, said David Snow, executive director of Upward Bound House.
“This is an important step in the right direction,” Snow said. “Every night in Los Angeles County, there are more than 10,000 homeless children, many living in conditions unfit for human habitation.”
Each year, the facility, which will be located in the Culver West area of Culver City, will assist upwards of 200 individuals, including over 125 children. In addition to providing housing, the proposed project will feature intensive case management.
“Families will be required to meet with their case managers on a daily basis,” said Tracy Woodburry, the agency’s program director. “Our goal is to get families stabilized and into permanent housing as quickly as possible.”
The program is based on the agency’s successful Family Place program in Santa Monica, and will include a housing first component. Families may stay at the facility for up to 90 days, as long as they comply with facility rules and their agreed upon social service plan.
Santa Monica is contributing $400,000 to the project. Los Angeles County will give $1.5 million, the city of Los Angeles $400,000, the city of Beverly Hills $200,000, and the state $1 million, according to a report provided by city staff. Private foundations have committed $1.125 million to date. The total estimated capital cost of the project is $3.5 million. Some of the county’s funding and funding from private foundations will be used for operating expenses.
The project is an example of regional cooperation and the “fair share” strategy that Santa Monica officials have been promoting in recent years. While relatively close to Santa Monica, this project responds directly to Santa Monica’s call for regional responsibility by locating the facility outside Santa Monica and obtaining capital and operating support from other jurisdictions and entities.
Other examples of the fair share strategy include a housing trust fund loan of $400,000 in federal HOME funds to New Directions, Inc. for the development of a 156 bed facility for homeless veterans on the grounds of the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration. The New Directions development is also a regionally funded project, receiving funding from HUD and the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica.
In June of 2006, Santa Monica’s City Council authorized $75,000 in one-time funds to St. Joseph Center’s Homeless Services Center located in Venice. St. Joseph also received funding from the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles to identify and rehabilitate a site on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.
“What’s really good about this project is that it is a representation of true regional cooperation,” said Kate Vernez, assistant to the City Manager, governmental relations. “It shows that (other municipalities and agencies) understand that it is going to take all of us working together to solve homelessness.”
Safety and security are primary considerations for the project, both for the community and for families who will be sheltered. Security upgrades will include perimeter fencing, a security camera system, and staff who will be on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the project will include upgrades to the beautification of the building, including the removal of the motel signage, painting and new landscaping.
“The agency is committed to partnering with the community,” Snow said. “We look forward to working with our neighbors, city leaders and regional partners to ensure the success of this program. Homelessness is everyone’s challenge.”
Construction is expected to begin in March and Upward Bound hopes to open by June.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 21, 2008. Read the original PDF.