HOLLYWOOD, CA - Abbey Road and Linc Housing, both nonprofit developers of affordable and supportive housing, have partnered to build Sun Commons, a 103-unit large-family affordable and supportive housing development in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Half of the new homes are for people who have experienced homelessness, and the other half are for low-income families and individuals. Onsite intensive case management and supportive services will be provided by Penny Lane, Abbey Road’s nonprofit sister organization.
“The real answer to homelessness is homes,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian. “This very important project will not only provide housing, but provide ongoing services provided by Penny Lane that will really be transformative of lives. We’re going to have a real community built here. A community of support, a community of empowerment, a community of positive change and hope.”
The County of Los Angeles has also made affordable and supportive housing a priority. “Rising rents are driving far too many people into homelessness,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “Buildings like the Sun Commons mean that 103 households have the security of a roof over their head and the knowledge that they will never have to move because their landlord raised the rent beyond their means to pay it.”
Sun Commons has funding support from Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). “The lack of affordable housing, coupled with the rise in homelessness, requires further investment to address this need,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA executive director. “For the past five years, the LACDA has funded over 6,000 units of affordable housing throughout Los Angeles County and will continue its investment in future housing developments like Sun Commons.”
The new building, located at 6329 Clybourn Street in North Hollywood, will have 16 studios, 29 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom, and 26 three-bedroom units. Fifty-one apartments are for those who have been homeless, 50 are for families and individuals earning up to 30 to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), and two are for on-site property management. Community amenities will include many communal areas for residents, including two community rooms, multiple roof decks, a play area for children living onsite, and a community garden. The building will also have a gym, bicycle parking, and spaces for a wide range of social and supportive services. The location gives residents convenient access to schools, a park, a library, and a large-scale grocery store.
Sun Commons will have staff dedicated to providing on-site intensive case management, mental health and other services individually tailored to the needs of each family or individual. The goal is to help families and individuals improve the quality of their lives, feel safe and stable while allowing them to pursue life goals far beyond subsistence. The wide array of supportive services available include job placement, counseling, life skills training, transportation assistance, substance abuse counseling and treatment, and medical and dental assistance as well as referrals to community organizations that can fill in any service gaps.
“We recognize that the success of any housing very much depends on having supportive services,” said Bernie La Fianza, chief financial officer, Abbey Road. “Penny Lane, through intensive case management, will give residents the tools they need to be successful. We’re thrilled to partner with Linc, a well-known leader in the housing development space, in bringing new housing to this neighborhood.”
Suny Lay Chang, president and COO for Linc Housing, adds, “We were so excited when Abbey Road asked us to partner on this new housing. Whenever we can take an underutilized parcel of land and turn it into much-needed housing, it’s a win. Abbey Road and Penny Lane share Linc’s vision to use housing as a way to revitalize neighborhoods, providing the foundation for communities to grow and prosper.”
Funding for the development comes from a variety of sources including Proposition HHH Funds managed by the Housing + Community Investment Department of the City of Los Angeles (HCIDLA) and the Los Angeles County Development Authority (General and Measure H funds). Other sources include funds from California Housing & Community Development’s Supportive Housing Multifamily Housing Program and Infill Infrastructure Grant Program, tax credit equity from the National Equity Fund, a permanent loan from California Community Reinvestment Corp., and a construction loan from Wells Fargo.
Sun Commons, which was designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification, will incorporate many sustainable and environmentally conscious features such as a solar thermal hot water system, drought tolerant landscaping, low-flow kitchen and bath fixtures, non-toxic paint and flooring, photovoltaic panels, and Energy Star rated fixtures and appliances.
The new community was designed by KFA Architecture and will be built by Bernards Builders. The development is due to be completed in 2022.