After two years of planning, a $14 million development to house mentally ill, low-income individuals in Skid Row has received its final piece of funding.
Last week, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved a loan of $1,197,000 to the non-profit Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation, clearing the way for the developer to proceed with construction plans. The project is expected to debut in 2009.
"The number one move we can make to try to diminish homelessness is [creating] housing," said Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, whose Second District includes the proposed project site. "It's very important to have that kind of housing to get people off the streets."
Expected to occupy three currently vacant lots at 408 E. Fifth St., 506 S. San Julian St. and 514 S. San Julian St., the James M. Wood Apartments are slated to contain 53 efficiency units for mostly single, low-income, mentally ill tenants.
Well captured Journalistic street shot Rick! I'll be glad to hear when the hospitals quit dumping them onto the streets in hospital gowns and worse . . .
Hi Rick... good documentary photography. Thank you also for the info in your "about". I'm happy to hear finally after so many years something is being done to help the mentally ill who can't take care of themselves. No one in America should be forced to live in the streets. Thank you also for going into Skid Row and documenting these people's lives... they look like it hurts them just to be alive... very sad. I know it's a dangerous place to go to, so thank you again! 7+++ Best wishes, Brigitte
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