Lake House
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Goal: Contribute to the richness of the Westlake neighborhood, while helping address the challenges of homelessness in Los Angeles.
The Lake House is located at 437 Westlake Ave in the Westlake/MacArthur Park neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. Westlake is a diverse community, rich with culture, and active with destinations including MacArthur Park—one of the most vibrant open spaces in Los Angeles. Yet at the same time, the community suffers from displacement and homelessness. Lake House contributes to the richness of Westlake, while helping address the challenges of homelessness in the community.
In recent years, there has been an increase in community reinvestment in the Westlake area, including the adoption of the Westlake Recovery Redevelopment Project Area to encourage new public and private investment; repaving for improved streets and sidewalks to assist residents in accessing businesses and other amenities; improvements to the MacArthur Park band shell, now called the Levitt Pavilion; and designating the Alvarado Transit Corridor, running along Alvarado Street one block west of the project site. Additionally, the Westlake Theater, a block away from the project site, is undergoing a major rehabilitation as a venue for movies and live performances. At the same time, the City of Los Angeles continues to see rising homelessness and has adopted a comprehensive homeless strategy to address short- and long-term homelessness issues, including a commitment to build thousands of units of supportive housing.
Lake House consists of 62 new affordable rental units and one manager unit, ranging from studio to one-bedroom floor plans, located in a five-story building featuring an elevator. All units contain comfortably furnished living spaces with vinyl flooring throughout and full kitchens with energy-efficient appliances. Furnishings, including a bed frame, mattress, dresser, table and chairs, and a nightstand, are provided for all supportive housing units. Common space amenities include an on-site property management office and manager’s unit, supportive services offices, community space for resident programming on both the ground floor and upper floor, a shared resident courtyard, and common laundry facilities.
The Lake House provides residents in and around the Westlake community who are experiencing homelessness–estimated at the 2019 Point in Time Count to be over 1,875 individuals–with housing and supportive services. This project site aligns with both the overall economic development strategy for the Westlake neighborhood, the City’s commitment and strategies for combatting homelessness, and CDPs commitment to providing housing and services to meet the needs of the community where they are.
DEVELOPMENT
The project’s physical design and geographic location connect residents to supportive services designed to help them achieve stability and wellness in their lives. Most of the common spaces and services are oriented toward the street, activating the sidewalk and public realm, as well as serving as transitional space between the vibrancy of the neighborhood and the tranquility within the building. Common indoor and outdoor areas are available for social gatherings and organized activities like property-hosted meals and gardening, designed to encourage health and wellness, engagement, and social interaction among residents.
Lake House utilized innovative financing methods to secure funding for the development. By leveraging approximately $7 million in No Place Like Home funds (NPLH) awarded by Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), the project addresses the critical need for permanent supportive housing. This funding, designated for acquiring, designing, constructing, rehabilitating, or preserving permanent supportive housing, targets individuals experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, or at risk of chronic homelessness, and who require mental health services. Additionally, the project received Proposition HHH funding provided by the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). The HHH measure, sanctioned by voters, empowered city officials to issue general obligation bonds totaling up to $1.2 billion. This funding underscores the project’s commitment to providing affordable and supportive housing solutions in the community.
DATA
- Number of units: 63 (62 PSH units, 1 Mgr unit)
- Lot size: .37 acres
- Density: 177 units/acre
- Unit size: 355-523 sq ft ft2
- Unit mix: 28 Studios, 35 1BD/1BA
- Affordability: 30% AMI
- Total Cost: $38.3M
TEAM
- Architect: Architecture Design Collaborative (ADA)
- Contractor: Walton Construction
- Property Management: FPI Management
- Non-Profit General Partner: Mercy House
- Lead Services Provider: The Center in Hollywood
PARTNERS
Supportive services for all supportive housing residents will be provided through a partnership with the The Center in Hollywood as lead services provider, and the Los Angeles County Health Agency at no charge to residents. Services include a comprehensive range of services to help property residents achieve and maintain self-sufficient, healthy, and purposeful lives.
The Center in Hollywood
The Center in Hollywood (The Center) is a nonprofit ending isolation and breaking the cycle of homelessness through radical hospitality in Hollywood and throughout LA County. It is an inclusive space for anyone experiencing homelessness to feel welcome, feel safe, and receive services. The Center envisions an equitable world where the power of community prioritizes the health, housing, and dignity of every person.
The Center’s headquarters has a history of social justice work going back to the 1920’s. A sense of belonging and service are constants in the rich history of The Center. Throughout its history, The Center has created an environment that practices radical hospitality and welcomes all who walk through our doors. To learn more, please visit: https://thecenterinhollywood.org/
Los Angeles County Health Agency
Services will also be provided in partnership with Los Angeles County Health Agency (the Departments of Health Services, Mental Health, and Public Health), with commitments to the project through HHH and NPLH funding. To learn more, please visit: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/