On Google Earth, an enticing opportunity awaits: six acres of vacant land nestled among single-family homes in a West Valley neighborhood. The abandoned site in Woodland Hills, overrun by shoulder-high weeds for nearly ten years, has now captured the attention of developers.
However, this plot is not being considered for million-dollar homes like its surrounding properties. Instead, a group of influential civic leaders has identified it as an ideal location for shelter or housing for homeless individuals, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
The Committee for Greater L.A., composed of leaders in philanthropy, business, and government, commissioned a list of surplus government land suitable for homeless housing. They aimed to push City Hall, particularly Mayor Karen Bass, to fulfill her promise of constructing 1,000 beds on public land within her first year in office.
According to the committee’s study, they have identified more than enough viable parcels to accommodate 1,000 beds for shelter and permanent housing. They have proposed a timeline to complete the housing within six months.
While acknowledging the committee’s efforts, Mayor Bass has her own plans and timeline. She has compiled a list of over 3,300 properties, including city-owned land, and has engaged in preliminary discussions with City Council members to gauge their reactions to specific sites.
The mayor’s goal is to develop a “bigger and bolder” program for permanent housing on city-owned lands. She aims to establish standards for identifying suitable land, strategies for community engagement, provisions for infrastructure investments, new financing methods, and innovative approaches to construction by January 2025.
Mayor Bass intends to incorporate surplus land owned by regional and state agencies into her plans, in addition to primarily using the city’s list.
To facilitate the process and avoid potential obstacles caused by conflicting government agendas, the committee’s study highlights 46 highest-priority sites owned by the city. However, even these sites face their own challenges.
For example, the former Oso Elementary property in the West Valley has been a subject of contention among the community. While residents of Carlton Terrace, the surrounding area, acknowledge the need for addressing the eyesore, most oppose the idea of homeless housing.
Furthermore, factors like access to adequate services and transportation also come into play. Some residents believe that homeless individuals would benefit from being located near streets with stores, while others express concerns about the proximity of essential amenities.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Unified School District might have its own plans for certain properties, including the one in question. The district is currently evaluating underutilized properties to determine the best approach to address their needs and those of the communities they serve.
To streamline the process and ensure the successful implementation of homeless housing, Mayor Bass aims to not only identify suitable sites but also provide developers with ready-to-go parcels. This approach involves offering entitled or potentially entitled sites along with financing plans committed by the city.
The concept of utilizing surplus government land for homeless housing has been discussed since 2016, when Committee Chairman Miguel Santana, then the city administrative officer, included it in a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness. However, previous attempts to utilize city-owned properties for homeless housing, apart from parking lots, have seen limited success.
Moving forward, Mayor Bass intends to pursue a more transparent approach by considering privately held land and collaborating with organizations such as churches that align with the mission of providing housing. However, eminent domain may also become a consideration in acquiring adjacent privately owned properties to create space for additional units.
The Committee for Greater L.A. aims to promote transparency among public officials by publishing its study. Sarah Dusseault, a committee member and former commissioner of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, emphasizes the importance of openly discussing policy choices related to land use, even if it means preserving surface parking lots for their financial benefits.
Ultimately, the hope is that by shedding light on the available opportunities and challenges, progress can be made in addressing the pressing issue of homelessness in Los Angeles.
