Congresswoman Maxine Waters and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti joined Linc Housing and other partners to mark the grand opening of Cadence in Watts. Key funding sources for construction and on-site supportive services come from City Measure HHH and County Measure H.
LONG BEACH, Calif., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Linc Housing joined Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, County of Los Angeles officials, new residents, and many other partners to celebrate the grand opening of Cadence, an all-new, 64-unit apartment community in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles for families and individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Tammy, one of Cadence's new residents, hasn't had a stable home since she was 16 years old, when her family turned her out because she was pregnant. At 42, she'd almost given up. While living on the street for decades, she was abused, forced into prostitution, became addicted to drugs, and struggled with severe depression. Without a place to call home, she slept under bridges, in a tent and in her car. When she did have money, she paid for hotel rooms, but the money always ran out quickly.
Everything changed when Tammy learned she'd been approved for an apartment. "The day I moved into Cadence, I was amazed," she said. "Not only did I have a home, but it was filled with furniture, towels, sheets, dishes - everything I needed. It was warm and welcoming. I didn't have to worry about where I was going to sleep. I could relax. I could breathe." Since moving in, Tammy graduated from a medical assistant program, found a job, and reunited with her mother and her grown children. She still has a long way to go to completely heal, but now that she has a stable home, she has the foundation she needs to build her life.
Cadence was named to honor Central Avenue's heritage as the hub of the West Coast jazz scene in the early 20th Century. It offers 63 one-bedroom apartments and one manager's unit. Other features include a community room with kitchen, a computer room, outdoor courtyards, indoor bicycle parking, offices for case management, and convenient access to public transportation, shopping and community services.
"I have witnessed the great work Linc Housing has done in other areas of my district, including the opening of Fairview Heights Apartments in Inglewood," said Chairwoman Waters. "The opening of Cadence represents a necessary step toward our goal of ending homelessness and increasing the share of accessible housing in Los Angeles. I can't applaud Linc Housing enough on this huge accomplishment."
Los Angeles has approved more new affordable and supportive housing in the past five years than the previous 30 years, helping to make progress in housing working families, fixed-income seniors and those who have experienced homelessness. Measure HHH, approved by voters in the City of Los Angeles, is a major reason for this accelerated pace, while Measure H, approved by County of Los Angeles voters, provides the funding needed for ongoing supportive services and operating costs.
"Our city is made up of the best people in the country, people willing to spend their tax dollars to help their neighbors get back on their feet. Proposition HHH has done more than bring unsheltered Angelenos indoors, it's provided them with hope and security," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "These 63 high-quality supportive housing units will provide safety and access to support. Through partners like Linc Housing, we are making a dent in the homelessness crisis."
With funding support from Housing for Health/Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, residents receive intensive case management, provided by Linc Housing staff, to help ensure they thrive. Supportive services include mental health and physical health services, employment counseling and job placement, education, substance use counseling, money management, assistance in obtaining and maintaining benefits, and referrals to community-based services and resources.
"Cadence is Linc's third apartment community in the Watts and Willowbrook neighborhoods," said Rebecca Clark, CEO, Linc Housing. "This close proximity allows us the opportunity to expand our community engagement work and share resident services programming." Cadence is near Mosaic Gardens at Willowbrook, a 61-unit complex that opened in spring 2017, and Springhaven, a 100-unit community that welcomed residents in fall 2021.
Funding for the development, located at 11408 S. Central Ave., came from a variety of sources, including construction and permanent loans from Bank of America, $10.1 million in HHH Funds managed by the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), $7.1 million from the Los Angeles County Development Authority (No Place Like Home funds), and tax credit equity from Raymond James. The California Endowment provided predevelopment support. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles provides the housing assistance payments. All units were filled through referrals from the County of Los Angeles Coordinated Entry System (CES).
The new community was designed by Lahmon Architects and built by Walton Construction Inc.
About Linc Housing Corporation
Linc Housing, one of California's most productive nonprofit developers of affordable housing, is committed to building communities and strengthening neighborhoods for people underserved by the marketplace. Linc has helped create nearly 9,000 homes in 90 communities throughout the state. The organization's properties are known for excellent design, outstanding management and life-enhancing services for its residents. Linc has 38 years of service to families, seniors, people with special needs, and local governments - helping to create sustainable communities via new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, and historic preservation. Visit http://www.Linchousing.org for more information.
Media Contact
Holly Ferris, Linc Housing, 562-746-8461, [email protected]
SOURCE Linc Housing
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