Affordable Housing to Aid Economic Mobility
Why is this important?
Rising rent prices has quickly forced people out of their homes and there are not enough affordable houses to fill the demand. Everyone deserves a chance and around this area there are a lot of opportunities to regain their life back.
What is Affordable Housing?
This refers to being able to pay rent without spending more than 30% of your salary.
What is Economic Mobility?
The changes in a persons income over time. In terms of this project, if someone was to stay homeless on the streets their chances of becoming successful are drastically slimmer than if they were placed into affordable housing with nearby transportation and opportunities for work. This is direct correlation to their families economic mobility.
Who is this serving?
Families that have been kicked out of their houses from the soaring rent prices, single mothers are at a disadvantage trying to take care of their children and also providing an income and unaccompanied woman.
Why do we need access to transportation?
It is important that a light-rail, bus stop, or other forms of public transportation are in close proximity because for the housing to be successful people will need to have easy access to get to their work, school, and other everyday activities. Having a sense of normalcy and independence improves the behaviors of the people that are living in these homes and will be less likely to end up back on the streets.
Where is this apartment building going to go?
Located at the east end of the Los Angeles State Historical Park is an empty lot that could be turned into the new space for this building. It is within walking distance of the metro stop as well as the park, the LA River, the Dodgers Stadium, schools, and many opportunities for work. The buildings are located next to the Womens Building, which is a women owned building that hosts many events, fundraisers, and shows to promote the work of women in the community.
"There isn’t a county in the U.S. where people who earn minimum wage can afford housing — Los Angeles is horrendous. It was an indescribable humiliating experience. Today, I am in permanent supportive housing and pay 30% of my income to rent. I am employed part-time and feel like a member of society again."
—Susan Kolkowicz
L.A. needs 509,000 new affordable housing units to meet current demand
Renters in LA need to earn 2.8 times the minimum wage to afford the average monthly asking rent of $2,182
Women who are reliant on public transportation and accessing services across neighborhoods, may spend their entire day
navigating homelessness: traveling to a case management appointment in the morning, waiting in line for meals or other
services, traveling to another location to learn about or apply for housing opportunities, then waiting in line for a shelter spot or
risk not having a place to sleep at night.