John Stanley, Southside Church of Christ and Innovative Housing Opportunities to build 50-unit complex on West Manchester Ave.
Members of John Stanley, Inc., Southside Church of Christ and Innovative Housing Opportunities broke ground on Monday, Sept. 19, on Serenity, a mixed-use 50-unit affordable rental homeless senior project in South Los Angeles.
Saki S. Middleton, president of John Stanley; Dr. Carl C. Baccus, Southside senior pastor; and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson (CD 8) were among the participants in the gala event held on Southside’s campus located at 1655 W. Manchester Avenue. The project, which will contain commercial space on the ground floor, will be erected on the former parking lot of the church.
The City of Los Angeles Housing Department provided a $9.22 Million Proposition HHH Supportive Housing Loan and issued $19,910,000 in Tax Exempt and Taxable Bonds for the construction of the project, and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles is providing 36 Project Based Vouchers for Chronically Homeless and Homeless Seniors. It is slated to serve 18 chronically homeless and 18 homeless seniors and 14 non-homeless independent senior households.
“This is a true public-private partnership,” said Middleton. “It will provide homeless seniors with permanent housing and supportive services which will enhance their lives and improve the quality of the neighborhood.”
“Such a long-awaited development we are so grateful to God, the church members, community, and the city for joining us in providing quality housing and services in the neighborhood,” said Pastor Baccus.
“To whom much is given, much is required. We are thankful God gave us this opportunity to give to others with this project.” We look forward to continuing to serve our community,” noted Chris Baccus, executive director of Concerned Citizens Community Involvement, Southside community development corporation.
“Innovative Housing Opportunities is proud to be part of the solution to create more affordable housing for all seniors,” said Rochelle Mills, president and CEO of Innovative Housing Opportunities. “It’s imperative that all of us address this growing population with homes that are healthy, beautiful, and safe.”
Designed by Withee Malcolm Architects, the mixed-use 50-unit affordable rental homeless project will consist of one, five story building comprised of 50 studio and one-bedroom senior units, 1,600 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial space, and two levels of podium parking located on .82 acres. The development includes the replacement of the church parking.
The project will have 20 Studio/one bath and 30 One-bedroom/one bath units and 1,785 Ground Floor Commercial spaces. Amenities will include a 3rd level outdoor courtyard that includes a bbq area, sitting areas, and 1,500 square feet of indoor community space that includes a lounge, kitchen, flex room, and computer/classroom.
The project also has a 4th Floor gym, 3rd-floor laundry facility, and parking for the residents. The units will serve homeless senior and independent senior households fifty-five (55) years and older whose annual household incomes are at or below 60% of the Los Angeles County area median income.
