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MONDAY, DECEMBER 25- DECEMBER 31, 2023
VISIT TEMPLECITYTRIBUNE.COM
NO. 152
VOL. 14,
LA County to benefit from $182M of state funding for affordable housing
Vietnam vets memorial wall replica coming to Baldwin Park
By City News Service
By Staff
The Wall That Heals stopped by the City of Corona in 2021. | Photo courtesy of City of Corona / Facebook
Rendering of the El Portal Project in the City of San Pablo that will serve 54 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. | Rendering courtesy of California Governor’s Office
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he county and city of Los Angeles will benefit from approximately $182 million in state funding to support the building of 516 affordable homes, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced Wednesday. The money comes from Round 3 of Homekey awards, which will fund nine housing projects in five communities across the state -- three of those in Los Angeles County. A total of 613 new affordable homes are expected to be completed as a result of the funding, and more than a third of those units will be reserved for people experiencing chronic homelessness. “Homekey continues to be one of California’s most successful efforts to rapidly create housing for people struggling with homelessness,” Newsom said in a statement. “Through this innovative approach, we have funded over 14,600
homes in communities all across the state.” Of the $182 million, the cities of Los Angeles, Carson and Lancaster will receive $61.2 million, $34.4 million and $27.7 million, respectively. The remaining funds will support projects in San Pablo and Berkley. Originally launched months into the COVID-19 pandemic as an extension of Project Roomkey to curb the spread of disease among Californians in congregate shelters, Homekey funds additional building types and supports a broader population of people either homeless or at risk for homelessness. This includes young people transitioning to adulthood from foster care or an unsafe environment. “Homekey continues to serve as a model for communities across the nation confronting the crisis of homelessness,” Gustavo Velasquez, director of the state’s Department
of Housing and Community Development, said in a statement. “Born out of necessity in a time of crisis, Homekey has evolved our thinking of how to most effectively and quickly create quality housing to support Californians in a life lived off the streets and connected to critical services that help ensure lasting stability,” he added. Homekey Round 3 grant funding is available to local public entities, such as cities, counties, tribes and housing authorities to develop a broad range of housing. On Nov. 15, the HCD added $114 million in supplemental funding to the initial pool of $736 million, adding more funding opportunities for eligible applicants. Approximately $513 million remains in Homekey grants, and the state will continue
to review applications and award funding on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted. The city of Los Angeles is set to receive $26.5 million of the $61.2 million for The Weingart Shelby project, to acquire and rehabilitate an assisted living facility to create 78 units of interim, supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles will receive $18.2 million for the 4065 Oakwood project -- to acquire and rehabilitate an apartment complex. Another $9.3 million will support the 4818 N. Sepulveda Blvd. project for the construction of a multi-family property. The development is expected to provide supportive housing for 34 households with incomes at or below
See Affordable housing Page 24
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he Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a Mobile Education Center, is coming to Baldwin Park on March 14-17 at 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. “The City of Baldwin Park is humbled and honored to host The Wall That Heals on its journey across the country,” said Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada. “The sacrifices made by these heroes and their families is a debt we will never be able to repay, so we honor their service by hosting The Wall That Heals. We are grateful for this opportunity for our community to reflect and pay tribute to our Vietnam See Memorial wall Page 23
War veterans.” “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Baldwin Park to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.” The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer. When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history. The City of Baldwin Park will be The Wall’s third stop on its 2024 nationwide journey across 22 states. The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in