Los Angeles — Today, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to approve a proposal from Mercy Housing California to build 54 units of permanent supportive housing for seniors currently experiencing homelessness in Sherman Oaks. Today’s vote was the final approval needed to allow this permanent supportive housing project, championed by Councilmember David Ryu, to move forward.

“Homelessness is the crisis of our time,” Councilmember Ryu told the Commissioners when urging their support. “Projects like these will save lives, they will give people a brighter future, and they will help address homelessness in Sherman Oaks.”

Councilmember Ryu also thanked the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council and community members for working closely with Mercy Housing throughout the process.

The permanent supportive housing, planned for 14534-14536 Burbank Boulevard, will include an on-site manager and wraparound services to help seniors currently living on the street or in their cars rebuild stable lives indoors. Mercy Housing California operates 134 affordable communities and more than 9,190 homes serving lower-income seniors, families and individuals experiencing homelessness across California.

Seniors are especially vulnerable to falling into homelessness. In 2017, homelessness among Angelenos 62 and older jumped by 22 percent, far outpacing other populations.

“Mercy Housing is grateful to the City Planning Commission for approving our proposal, and we are honored to be working in Sherman Oaks to help bring solutions to the crisis of homelessness,” Doug Shoemaker, President of Mercy Housing California, said. “This permanent supportive housing will provide desperately needed housing and services to seniors experiencing homelessness. We are thankful to Councilmember Ryu, the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, and the neighbors who worked with us at every step of the way to make this a reality. Mercy will continue to engage the community as we begin construction, open our doors, and provide critical services to this vulnerable population for decades to come.”

Councilmember Ryu has been committed to serving those experiencing homelessness, especially vulnerable populations such as seniors, LGBT individuals and transitional-aged youth. The Mercy Housing project joins the LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus, which includes 98 units of affordable housing for seniors among its 225 units of housing, and three other homeless housing projects either open, under construction or in the pipeline in Council District Four.

You can read more about Councilmember Ryu’s work to address homelessness here.

 

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Los Angeles City Councilmember David E. Ryu represents the 4th Council District which includes Griffith Park, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Larchmont and portions of Koreatown and Van Nuys.