This week, Supervisor Kathryn Barger attended the grand opening celebration of Imagine Village II, a 3 story, 80-unit affordable and supportive housing apartment complex for low-income individuals and families who have experienced homelessness.
The event was held Monday morning, on the grounds of the Imagine Village II. “It’s a joy to see this important project come to life,” said Supervisor Barger. “These homes will transform the lives and outcomes of many of our most vulnerable residents in North County. I am thrilled that more than 50% of these units will house homeless youth who have aged out of foster care. I’ve been a big supporter, helping the project get $300,000 in federal funding. Imagine Village II is certain to become an invaluable and irreplaceable community asset.”
The new building, located at 43445 Sahuayo Street in Lancaster, has 20 studio units along with 17 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom, and 21 three-bedroom units. Forty-two of the units are reserved for formerly homeless and 36 units are for individuals and families earning between 30 and 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 2 units for on-site property management.
Abbey Road, a nonprofit developer of affordable and supportive housing co-hosted the grand opening of their latest project with Penny Lane Centers. “We are celebrating the opening of Imagine II where walls don’t just provide shelter, they embrace,” said Wendy Carpenter, Abbey Road’s Chief Executive Officer. “We don’t merely provide roofs, we cultivate a sense of belonging. We’ve built a community where hope and optimism lead the way and each individual’s journey will become a shared triumph.”
Imagine Village II received support from a variety of community leaders and funding from several public and private sources, including the County Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Mental Health Housing Program, Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), Multifamily Housing Program, California Department of Housing & Community Development, State and Federal tax Credits awarded by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, tax credit equity through the National Equity Fund as well as the California Equity Fund.
“The LACDA is committed to making supportive housing available to all communities across Los Angeles County and we are proud of our work with Abbey Road to bring Imagine Village II to Lancaster,” said LACDA Executive Director Emilio Salas. “The supportive services provided by Penny Lane Centers will ensure that residents will have the support they need to thrive in their new homes.”
The project also received a construction loan from JP Morgan Chase and a first mortgage loan from California Community Reinvestment Corporation. Measure H Service funding was awarded through the Department of Health Services.
Community amenities include a large children’s play area, outdoor barbecues with gathering space, a community garden, a dog run, bicycle parking, and spaces for a wide range of social gatherings and supportive services.
Imagine Village II’s location gives residents convenient access to schools, a park and community serving retail. This building also has many sustainable and environmentally conscious features such as a solar thermal hot water system, drought tolerant landscaping, non-toxic paint and flooring, photovoltaic panels, and Energy Star rated fixtures and appliances.
Penny Lane Centers, Abbey Road’s nonprofit sister organization, is the onsite service provider offering intensive case management and supportive services. The services are individually tailored to meet the unique needs of the residents. “Our goal is to help families and individuals improve the quality of their lives, feel safe and stable while allowing them to pursue life goals far beyond subsistence,” said Nydia Barakat, Director of Fund Development for Penny Lane Centers. “We offer a wide array of supportive services, including job placement, counseling, life skills training, transportation assistance, substance abuse counseling and treatment, mental health services, and medical and dental assistance. We also provide referrals to other community organizations that can fill in any service gaps.”
Supervisor Barger commented on the essential nature of Penny Lane’s support services at the grand opening. “Imagine Village II exemplifies how supporting our homeless and most vulnerable community members should be executed,” Supervisor Barger stated. “These support services are a critical component that creates stability and will keep people housed. I firmly believe people want a hand up, not a hand out.”