Concerned Citizens of S.C.L.A.

Housing

In March 1987, CCSCLA began a fight to save 64 low and moderate income housing units slated to be demolished for construction of a school. CCSCLA won a major victory when the Unified School District reversed its decision to take the homes in order to construct a school. The District instead chose an alternate site that would not require any housing demolition. CCSCLA recognized that the community could have both the needed schools and at the same time keep exiting housing because there were alternatives such as:
1) build schools up instead of out,
2) re-open closed schools,
3) restructure and/or use different school calendars, and
4) demolish and/or change the usage of some of the dilapidated industrial sites in the community.

CCSCLA now builds housing to enable the poor to improve their economic conditions. Our completed development, Roberta Stephens Villas, has been considered a "model for the country" because it goes beyond providing bricks and mortor by providing these types of social programs needed in our community. Roberta Stephens Villas is a joint venture project between CCSCLA and Canaan Housing Corporation (a subsidiary of Second Baptist Church).

One Wilkins Place and Central Avenue Village Square were developed solely by CCSCLA. CCSCLA served as managing general partner of each development and handled all financing for project development and construction. CCSCLA also has in-house property management capabilities and personally establishes its tenant programs. All three developments are in limited partnership with the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)/California Equity Fund.

CCSCLA has a working relationship with LISC and enjoys the ability to call upon the organization for technical assistance and mentoring whenever needed. LISC has provided CCSCLA wit recoverable grants for each of its housing developments and has continued to provide millions in equity for each of CCSCLA's developments through their equity fund. We can only repay LISC for their priceless assistance by continuing to build the type of developments LISC/CEF is looking for and by managing our partnership assets in a sound manner.

The City of Los Angeles has also been financially supportive of CCSCLA by providing pre-development loans for the organization's developments even before the plans are drawn to ensure that CCSCLA has the resources to do what they do best, service the community. CCSCLA's organizing and operational functions are supported by over 10 private foundations and several individual donors. In combination with our developer fees, CCSCLA raised over $250,000 for fiscal year 1994 for its organizational efforts. 40% of the staff at CCSCLA are part of low-income working families and yet all staff work time and a half to ensure the job is done right!

Features of all of our housing developments:
Low income housing for 35% and 505 of area median income families
Central Air and Heat
Rents range from $318 to $621 for 2 and 3 bedroom units
Large Rooms
4 and 5 bedrooms are as large as 1,600 sq. ft.
Libraries
Programs for Youth
Sundecks
Courtyards and Play Areas
Huge French windows
Recycling Programs
Open Design
Computer Center

Roberta Stephens Villas.
Roberta Stephens Villas provides housing for residents at 35% and 5096 of area median incomes. The development has the community's first after-school nanny program sponsored by the Department of Aging and a mentor program sponsored by students at UCLA and Occidental College. Them is a mandatory recycling program whereby the youth earn money and save half of their earnings in the South Central Peoples Federal Credit Union for their college education.

CCSCLA has organized a group of corporations that have committed to match every dollar the youth put away for school. Realizing how unemployment can have a direct impact on ones ability to maintain shelter, we have also organized a Job Referral program in conjunction with the Employment Development Department to help assist anyone in the community to find employment. The organization received $30,000 in tree and rose bush donations for the development from the Conservation Corps and Browning-Ferris Industries (a local waste management corporation). The trees and flowers were planted by local community residents and concerned volunteers.

One Wilkins Place
The printshop job training center in One Wilkins Place will be a partnership between CCSCLA, Trade Technical Community College and Abraham Freeman Occupational Center. Students from both Trade Technical and Abraham Freeman in will be able to work at the job training arena and receive work experience and credits. CCSCLA will assist both schools in preparing bids on printing jobs for government and corporate contracts. The center will also provide computer services and training to local students and professionals. The name of the print-shop/job training center is "On Time Printing and Copy Center," characterized by a clock tower in One Wilkins Place.

Central Avenue Village Square
Central Avenue Village Square is the home of the first wellness center to be established in the South Central Community. The center, called The Well, was stated by the UCLA Department of Psychology under the guidance of Fran Jermott. The Well offers women's self-help health programs such as parenting, weight control, general emotional support, women over 50 forums, mess management, yoga and aerobics.

Owen Golden Manor
Gwen Bolden Manor is a conceptual project which will consist of 32 units shared affordable housing. The development will be located at 1302 at East 41st Street at Hooper just across the street from Jefferson High School. Gwen Bolden Manor will provide shared housing for youth who have been release from the guardianship of the Foster Care system and low income seniors and families. The development will have large units which facilitate independent living while allowing residents to share housing costs and living experience. All units will be targeted towards individuals and families at or below 50% of area medium income. Over 70% of the units will be targeted for residents at 35% of area median income. The project will also encompass a three unit commercial building located at 1322 East 41st Street.