Fifty-two bed interim housing site opens in East Hollywood

A new 52-bed interim housing site on Sunset Boulevard in East Hollywood opened Thursday, replacing a complex with a 30-year history as a recovery facility, city officials announced Thursday.

During a news conference Thursday morning, Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez celebrated the interim site, which is operated by the nonprofit service provider, Volunteers of America. Known as the Jan Clayton Center, the facility consists mainly of single-occupancy rooms with en suite bathrooms shared between two rooms.

Residents have access to health services, such as to address addiction, and mental health, as well as to help them with job placement. On- site case managers will support residents in finding permanent housing.

"By investing in interim housing and services that are proven to work, we're bringing people off the streets and housing the homeless in Hollywood," Soto-Martinez said in a statement. "These 52 beds are just the start. Opening temporary and permanent affordable housing at a record rate -- both in our district and the city overall, we'll get out of this crisis."

Volunteers of America has monitors on site 24/7 and installed cameras to ensure the safety of residents, staff and neighbors. Additionally, access control measures are in place like ID checks and a single "secure entry point" to prevent unauthorized entry, according to Soto-Martinez's office.

The center represents a 13% boost in temporary housing capacity in Soto-Martinez's 13th District, encompassing the Hollywood area.

"This is one of the first times I've actually felt safe, and stable -- with a room to myself at night," Frank Salgado, who is living at the Jan Clayton Center and has struggled with homelessness, said in a statement. "Now, I need job placement services and case management resources to get back on my feet and find permanent housing."

During the month of July and early August, outreach professionals with Volunteers of America worked with Soto-Martinez's staff, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and other agencies to bring dozens of unhoused individuals inside from the surrounding area of East Hollywood, Hollywood and Silver Lake.

"We must continue breaking the status quo with urgent action to bring Angelenos inside and build more housing -- that's what has led to the first decrease in homelessness in L.A. in years," Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.

"I want to thank Councilmember Soto-Martinez for his work thus far and his partnership. This project will help more people come inside to be connected with services and onto a path to permanent housing. Together, we are saving lives," Bass added.