Wave Staff and Wire Reports
LOS ANGELES — Nearly $3 million in federal funding will support housing and transportation improvements in Los Angeles, officials have announced.
During an April 2 news conference, Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Los Angeles, announced that dollars from a federal package, called Community Project Funding, signed into law in February will support housing projects, homeless programs and transportation initiatives.
“We’re in an affordability crisis, and far too many Angelenos are at risk of being priced out of the city they’re proud to call home,” Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. “That’s why I’m proud to deliver $3 million to the city of Los Angeles, including $2.5 million to expand and strengthen our affordable housing supply.
“I remain committed to working hand-in-hand with local leaders to lower costs and ensure every Angeleno has a safe, stable place to call home.”
About $500,000 will support transportation improvements around the Vermont Manchester Transit Project, a 180-unit affordable housing project in South Los Angeles. Funding will result in the installation of two bike boulevards, street lighting and a new traffic signal along 84th Street to connect Vermont Avenue to Figueroa Street and help residents get closer to the J (Silver) Line Busway Station and other key destinations.
Across the street from the project, about $250,000 in funding was secured by Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell for the rehabilitation of the South L.A. Community Food Hall, which is expected to be transformed into a hub for eight to 10 small businesses along the Vermont Corridor.
Bass’ signature homeless initiative, Inside Safe, will receive $850,000 for the purchase, renovation, and maintenance of housing facilities within the program, which serves about 6,000 people experiencing homelessness annually, according to the mayor’s office.
Another $850,000 will support the Crocker Street Site Remediation project. It will consist of an environmental clean-up to prepare the property for future housing development.
About $250,000 will support Pueblo Del Rio public housing, upgrading the building with air conditioning units and ceiling fans for nearly 1,800 residents.
Lastly, of the federal funding, some $250,000 will support the Broadway Sur Transportation Safety Improvements project in the city’s Eighth Council District. The dollars were secured by Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s team to deliver safety, lighting and beautification improvements along 2.8 miles of Manchester Avenue and South Broadway to reduce traffic collisions, encourage walking and biking, and boost commercial activity.
“We fought hard for this funding to create a safer and more affordable Los Angeles, and to build on our work that has brought street homeless down in unprecedented ways in just three years,” Mayor Bass said. “I want to especially thank Representative Kamlager-Dove, who has been a key partner in the continued investments in housing in Los Angeles, funding to build future housing sites, and better communities across Los Angeles.”
“From Mayor Karen Bass’s leadership in Los Angeles to Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove championing resources at the federal level, this impact would not be possible without strong partnership and a shared commitment to investing in real, tangible improvements for our communities,” Mitchell said. “Expanding access to transit, housing, education, quality jobs, and thriving small businesses is possible because of these critical investments reaching South Los Angeles.”
“What was once an empty lot for far too long has transformed into a vibrant community hub at Vermont and Manchester,” City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said. “This project revitalizes this major intersection by providing the affordable housing, safer streets, and new businesses that our residents deserve.”
“Council District 9 is grateful to Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove for championing investments that bring meaningful resources to South Los Angeles, including the Urban Awnings development on Crocker Street,” Councilman Curren Price said. “Purposefully designed for this site, the project is expected to cost under $400,000 per unit, demonstrating that high-quality affordable housing can also be cost-efficient.”
