Los Angeles faces a severe shortage of housing for low-income renters. But buying land in such an expensive part of the state is often a challenge for affordable housing developers.
California lawmakers offered one possible answer for where to build when they passed SB 4, a statewide law that took effect earlier this year. It allows religious groups to fast-track new housing on properties they already own.
Now, the Catholic church in L.A. is laying out plans to do just that. The Archdiocese of L.A. announced Wednesday it will partner with a newly formed nonprofit called Our Lady Queen of Angels Housing Alliance to develop affordable housing in Southern California.
The church, already known for its efforts to assist immigrants and feed unhoused people, is aiming to use its extensive land holdings to help address the region’s housing crisis. Their first project — located on Archdiocese land currently used by Catholic Charities — will construct affordable apartments next to L.A. City College for community college students and youth transitioning out of foster care.
Amy Anderson, the executive director for Queen of Angels Housing, said the mission is to confront one of the region’s biggest moral dilemmas head-on.
“We’re losing a generation of people to housing insecurity,” said Anderson, who served as L.A.’s Chief Housing Officer under former Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It’s very difficult for people to live in health — mental health, physical health — and for them to get ahead when there’s no physical foundation, no home for which to do that.”
How Catholic schools and convents could sprout new housing
Anderson said this work will…
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