When two dual sites became available in Venice, California—a very difficult to develop area with soaring costs—Venice Community Housing Corp. (VCH) leaped at the opportunity to develop its largest permanent supportive housing yet. Purchasing one lot from a former family-owned business and the other from service provider Safe Place for Youth (SPY), VCH was off to a good start in creating a 40-unit building with 19 units for formerly unhoused transition-aged youths (TAY) and 20 for formerly chronically homeless adults and families.
“We have a lot of young adults facing homelessness here in Venice and on the Westside and have for a long time. There haven't been very many opportunities for them, but we have found that multigenerational works, and the community building it creates has been incredible for people of all ages,” says Becky Dennison, VCH co-executive director.
The $30.2 million development features a public plaza and garden, an open courtyard with gathering spaces, and a rooftop deck that is adjacent to the community room. “It is a nice convening space with views. Located at the back of the property away from the busy street out front, it’s almost like a little oasis for people,” Dennison adds.
The ground floor includes an administrative office and programming spaces for SPY, allowing for the integration of imperative services to support TAY residents. There are also two full-time, on-site case managers dedicated to providing supportive service programs including workshops, life skills classes, and group activities. To be fully completed in July, The Journey signifies the end of homelessness for approximately 50 people in the area.
