Imagine a place where new beginnings flourish. Linc Housing just opened Atlas, a landmark community in Los Angeles providing 127 affordable homes and vital support services to combat homelessness. It’s more than just housing; it’s a symbol of hope and transformation. What impact do you think projects like Atlas will have on our city’s future?
Los Angeles recently marked a significant milestone in its ongoing battle against homelessness with the grand opening of Atlas, Linc Housing’s first Project Homekey community. This innovative development introduces 127 new affordable and supportive apartments, designed to provide stability and dignity to individuals who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of losing their housing. It represents a critical step forward in addressing the city’s urgent housing needs and fostering sustainable community development.
The Atlas initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together Linc Housing, a leading nonprofit developer, with key leaders from the City and County of Los Angeles and dedicated community partners. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to implementing effective housing solutions through groundbreaking programs like the State of California’s Project Homekey, which transforms underused properties into vital long-term affordable and supportive housing.
Specifically targeting the diverse needs within the homeless population, Atlas allocates 60 homes to individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness, while 66 units are reserved for those facing imminent housing instability. This strategic dual approach emphasizes both immediate relief and proactive homelessness prevention. The community itself is aptly named after the Atlas butterfly, a global symbol of transformation and rebirth, reflecting the profound life changes it aims to facilitate for its residents.
Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson of the Los Angeles City Council articulated the profound impact of such projects, stating, “Every home we create is a lifeline.” He further emphasized that “Atlas not only offers dignity and stability to people who have struggled with homelessness, it also helps prevent others from ever experiencing it in the first place. This new community is proof that when the city, county, state, and nonprofit partners work together, we can move the needle on homelessness.”
The CEO of Linc Housing echoed this sentiment, highlighting that “Atlas embodies the power of collaboration.” The CEO acknowledged Governor Newsom’s Project Homekey initiative and the steadfast commitment of state, city, and county entities, which collectively enabled the provision of much-needed housing and essential services. This comprehensive strategy, rooted in Linc Housing’s extensive experience, is crucial for effectively solving homelessness by both housing the unhoused and preventing future instances of housing loss.
Prior to its renovation, the Atlas site, situated at 1650 Florence Avenue in Los Angeles, was a recently constructed but uninhabited market-rate apartment building. Transformed through careful design by Y&M Architects and construction by T. Morrissey Corporation, the revitalized community now boasts 126 modern one-bedroom homes alongside a manager’s unit. Residents benefit from an array of on-site amenities, including a community room with computer stations, case management offices, long-term bicycle parking, inviting outdoor courtyards, and a scenic rooftop deck.
The financial underpinning of Atlas involved a complex yet effective blend of public funding. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), in partnership with city and state bodies, secured the building with State Homekey funding and provided crucial project-based Section 8 vouchers, guaranteeing long-term rent stability for residents. Additional contributions came from the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), including HOME/American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, Proposition HHH funds, and Community Development Block Grant program funding, all vital for the project’s acquisition and construction.
Beyond providing shelter, Atlas ensures comprehensive wraparound services for its residents, particularly those who were chronically homeless. These essential services encompass mental and physical health care, employment counseling and job placement, educational opportunities, substance use counseling, financial coaching, and community referrals. Furthermore, all residents benefit from case coordination, health and wellness programs, workforce and financial development workshops, and crucial digital equity initiatives, fostering holistic support and empowerment.
The tangible impact of Atlas is perhaps best illustrated through personal stories, such as that of Roderick, a new resident whose life has been profoundly transformed. After decades of homelessness and challenges with substance use, Roderick is now stably housed and dedicated to his health, even assisting with the care of his mother living nearby. “This new home has changed my life tremendously,” Roderick shared, expressing newfound stability and the ability to “finally feel like I can build a future.”
