SoLa Impact’s latest affordable housing property on Avalon Boulevard has officially opened its doors to provide homes and support services to formerly unhoused residents through a partnership with HOPICS. What was previously a dilapidated, fire-damaged vacant church has been transformed into a 28-unit, 100% affordable apartment building for the South Los Angeles community. Avalon’s residents will have access to a backyard garden as well as a rooftop patio with stunning views of Downtown.
SoLa Impact Partnership with HOPICS Brings Hope to Formerly Unhoused in South Los Angeles
October 18, 2021
HOPICS, a leading nonprofit service provider supporting homeless families and individuals, has leased all 28 units at Avalon, where the organization will place residents and oversee their case management, creating an ecosystem of support to increase their quality of life and help them remain housed.
“We’re very grateful to our partner, SoLa. As Martin mentioned, we are pioneers. No nonprofit has ever leased a brand new apartment building so we want to demonstrate that we can use new units that are coming online to benefit the community,” said Veronica Lewis, Director of HOPICS, at a grand opening celebration on Monday.
The property can house up to 78 residents, and as of today, 70 residents have officially moved into their new homes at Avalon.
One new resident, Ms. Thomas, shared, “Three years I’ve been on the street. I just moved in last Thursday. Thank God for this program.”
All units feature new, energy-efficient stainless steel appliances and noise cancelling windows. The property design follows ADA compliance for accessibility and each space can be easily converted to a wheelchair-friendly home. An elevator connects each of the four floors to laundry facilities, a camera system and secure package delivery. Residents can enjoy use of two bicycle storage rooms along with a bike repair station, and step outside to a thriving, transit-oriented community, with easy access to a Metro stop across the street.
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The grand opening celebration featured remarks from special guest LA City Councilmember Curren Price along with mission-aligned partners, gathering with residents to welcome them to their new homes.
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary actions. Our homeless neighbors deserve this support to help get them back on their feet,” said Councilmember Price.
Avalon is located a half-mile from The Beehive, SoLa’s Opportunity Zone business campus, where SoLa’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Center will welcome residents and their children to attend free programming, classes and workshops that expose them to new technology skills when it opens permanently in early 2022. The Avalon property is just one of SoLa Impact’s projects in a robust pipeline of upcoming new housing, including 1,500 affordable units that will be constructed and renovated throughout Greater Los Angeles.
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