Children enjoy the playground equipment at the new Safe Families Interim Housing and Support Services Center, which opened its doors in Santa Fe Springs Feb. 1. The new facility will house up to 40 families at a time as they transition from homelessness to permanent supportive housing.
Courtesy photo
Wave Staff Report
SANTA FE SPRINGS — County Supervisor Janice Hahn joined the Whole Child, state leaders, and city officials Feb. 1 for the grand opening ceremony of the Safe Families Interim Housing and Support Services Center, which will serve hundreds of children and families annually in Los Angeles County.
The project was made possible with $7.3 million in county funding secured by Hahn.
The completed center is the first phase of he Whole Child’s innovative “Homeless to Homeowner Campus,” which will provide a comprehensive continuum care: bringing families in crisis under one roof for services and interim housing, then providing permanent supportive housing in apartment units, and ultimately allowing an opportunity for formerly unhoused families to purchase townhome units.
The facility at 10951 Laurel Ave. will house up to 40 families at a time as they transition from homelessness to permanent supportive housing. The first floor of the building contains amenities: a computer lab, laundry services, a food pantry, treatment rooms for mental health services, and a spacious playground for children.
Living units in the center include full kitchens, furnishings, appliances, housewares and more. The facility is also a trauma-informed mental health hub focused on treating the effects of homelessness on children, teens and parents.
“This represents the culmination of over six years of planning, fundraising, commitment and excitement,” said Constanza Pachon, CEO of the Whole Child. “To finally open this facility is a testament to the hard work of our board, leadership team, facilities, team, funders and partners. We are grateful for all of their efforts to bring this transformative center to life.”
Hahn secured $7.3 million for the project.
“As we continue to address the homelessness crisis, we have to try new strategies and this Homeless to Homeowner Campus we are bringing to Santa Fe Springs is innovative,” she said “This first phase is perhaps the most important part.
“This will be interim shelter for families in crisis with wrap around services to provide stability and support to parents and kids in what might be the worst chapter of their lives. I applaud the Whole Child for their commitment to supporting families and setting them up for better futures and I hope this can be a model for us going forward.”
Santa Fe Springs Mayor Bill Rounds also praised the project.
“This innovative facility represents hope, stability, and opportunity for families experiencing homelessness,” he said. “The Whole Child is not just addressing homelessness but offering a pathway to lasting change. We are proud to partner with such a visionary organization to create a brighter future for our residents and thank them for making a meaningful difference in our city.”
The development team for the campus includes developers the Richman Group and award-winning architectural firm SVA Architects.
Also on hand for the event were state representatives, including state Sen. Bob Archuleta and Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco.
The project was assisted by the city of Santa Fe Springs, which donated the land, valued at more than $1.4 million, as well as over $20 million in funding from Hahn, the state, U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez, and the Bezos Day One Fund.
