A new 27-unit supportive housing community is home to youths 18 to 24 years old in Los Angeles County.
The latest development by Linc Housing, The Nook is one of the few supportive housing developments in the county serving young adults who have experienced homelessness.
Located in South Whittier, the new community helps address the demand for affordable housing while giving new life to a former library site.
“In 2020, there were 4,600 young adults who were homeless in Los Angeles County,” said Suny Lay Chang, president and chief operating officer at nonprofit Linc Housing, a longtime affordable housing developer. “There’s a tremendous need for housing and services for these young adults, many of whom haven’t had the family supports necessary for the successful transition from youth to adulthood. The Nook is their foundation for building a life of their dreams.”
The development, with a modern building design that blends well into the neighborhood, has 26 one-bedroom homes and a two-bedroom manager’s unit. The complex features a computer lab, a community room, a patio, a second-floor roof deck, a community kitchen, and easy access to the new library just around the corner. The community spaces are conducive to group educational experiences and trainings.
Linc also incorporated sustainable construction and design features. Energy- and water-efficient measures not only help the environment but also decrease residents’ future utility costs, freeing up income for other necessities.
“Homelessness is devastating for a young person and too often prevents them from pursuing an education or working to build the future they want and deserve,” said Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County supervisor. “Every young person who moves into these apartments isn’t just getting a roof over their head. They are getting a support system, access to mental health care, and a community of peers that understands what they have gone through. Everyone who moves in here will be able to finally take a breath, worry less about where they are going to sleep at night, and focus more on what they need to do to build the future they want for themselves.”
Jovenes, Linc’s nonprofit services partner, is providing intensive case management and support for the residents.With funding support from Housing for Health/Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, Jovenes provides services focused on supporting residents in their personal development. The nonprofit also provides referrals and support for issues related to mental and physical health as well as substance abuse and legal needs.
Funding for the approximately $15 million development comes from a variety of sources, including construction and permanent loans from Capital One, $3.9 million in No Place Like Home funds from the Los Angeles County Development Authority on behalf of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and tax credit equity from Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments. The county also provided a permit fee waiver and ground lease for the site. The California Endowment and LISC Los Angeles provided predevelopment support.
The Nook was designed by Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, and it was built by Walton Construction.
