FROM CONCEPT TO CAMPUS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AMID COVID-19
More Than 50 Units at Kensington Campus Leased
Lancaster, April 24, 2020 – Kensington Campus, a community designed to house, employ, and rehabilitate the homeless population in Lancaster, has successfully leased more than 50 units with assistance from the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). Earlier this year, the LACDA fully leased units at Villas A&B of Kensington Campus I and continues to rigorously schedule inspections and review documents to get more formerly homeless individuals onsite. Amid COVID-19, the LACDA is continuing to partner with the City of Lancaster, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and The People Concern to welcome home residents as they inch toward future endeavors.
The development is located on a 14-arce site at Avenue I and 32nd Street, consisting of 102 one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing, 156 beds for bridge housing, 24-hour wraparound services, and an enterprise job creation and entrepreneurial facility. The strategic layout of Kensington Campus was designed to maximize the full potential of its features and better serve residents. The supportive housing units are divided among four townships to enable customization of programs, beds for bridge housing are placed in three structures for sufficient privacy needs, and supportive services are at a central location of the campus for easy accessibility. In addition, non-residential supportive service spaces are available, including a communal kitchen, an outdoor amphitheater, medical clinic, and a mental health therapy building.
The exertion made to establish the development required private, public, and non-profit partnerships. The People Concern, one of the largest non-profit social service agencies in Los Angeles County, offers intensive case management services and encourages practices of self-sufficiency. The LACDA took the lead in providing residents with housing assistance by applying project-based vouchers to 100 units. Emilio Salas, LACDA Acting Executive Director, said, “Knowing that individuals are moving into their homes at Kensington Campus, makes me confident that our collaborative effort is moving in the right direction. As intended outcomes continue to be met, we will greatly anticipate the full leasing of the development and the impact it will have on the Antelope Valley.”
As homelessness remains a daunting concern in Los Angeles County, the presence of COVID-19 has intensified the urgency for individuals to be indoors. With the Safer at Home orders issued by the state and local governments, the well-being of Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable populations is a health concern for all residents. The development of Kensington Campus allows the LACDA to prioritize the efforts of physical distancing while also giving residents a place to call home. Inspections will continue to be scheduled and units at Villas C&D are expected to be fully leased by the end of April 2020.The development is expected to officially open in June 2020.
For more information on Kensington Campus, please contact The People Concern at (661) 723-6000. All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, LACDA Public Information Officer, at (626) 586-1762.
