The city of Los Angeles unveils their new tiny house project

On February 9, Volunteers of America, Los Angeles and the city of L.A. unveiled their new tiny house community in Sun Valley. The 83 units can house up to 161 residents. The three year project represents a step forward to help the unhoused in L.A.

Volunteers of America is a non-profit organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families and building communities. Today’s event unveiled Branford Village Tiny Homes — a partnership effort that also involved Los Angeles’ 6th District and Mayor Karen Bass. Homelessness is an issue that the speakers reiterated “can impact all of us,” and the city and volunteer leaders discussed their goals for the future.

“Our goal is to help the most vulnerable populations,” Orlando Ward, director of community relations at the organization, said. “And I got to tell you, the difference I’m seeing now is there’s a creativity, there’s an urgency, there’s funding, there’s all these departments and all this talent coming together, singularly focused to try to do something that Los Angeles needs to be embarrassed about.”

This is the 11th tiny home village in L.A. and the third in the 6th District. Branford Village took a year to build. Disabled, high risk and 6th District residents take priority on the 125-person waiting list. The Branford Village was developed on a former unhoused encampment that is being transformed into a shelter with water, heat and food. The leaders of this program aim to cultivate a family among clients and staff members through movie and game nights. Program coordinator Desiree Martin stated that, “There will be people coming on site to help those with substance abuse.”

Alexis Wesson, the Chief of Staff for the 6th District, said that her goal is to get shelter for as many unhoused neighbors as possible and provide wraparound services for them. Wesson said they aim to take care of different needs, from “mental health services, drug addiction services,” to “getting a driver’s license or an ID card.” In addition, services like the Department of Motor Vehicles will be offered to the residents.

There were some challenges with building the site. The nearby train tracks spark noise and safety concerns. But Aura Garcia, a member of the Board of Public Works Commission, plans on “building out any type of temporary bridge to homes or any affordable long term permanent housing.” While Garcia acknowledges that these are temporary homes that take time to construct, she thinks that these are important steps in the right direction.

Empathy is the focus for the tiny home community. “I know people experiencing homelessness. There’s some trauma there,” Martin said. She wants her staff to have amazing customer service and make sure all residents feel taken care of after experiencing this trauma. She reiterated, “Our goal for everybody is permanent housing.”

Residents of Branford Village will be able to move in as soon as next week.