A luxurious, new high-rise homeless shelter funded by taxpayers is set to open in Los Angeles, featuring apartments with skyline views, a gym and cafe, according to the Los Angeles Times. The 19-story tower, which cost about $600,000 to build each of its 228 studios and 50 one-bedroom apartments, is located in the heart of the city’s Skid Row as part of a three-building project to provide shelter and support for homeless adults.
The $165 million complex boasts numerous amenities, including a gym with treadmills, rowers, bikes, and cable machines, as well as a communal patio area for residents, an art room, a soundproof music room, a computer room, a library, and the cafe. According to Kevin Murray, president and CEO of the Weingart Center Association, the nonprofit behind the project, “We’re trying to make our little corner of the world look and feel a little better.
For those fortunate enough to secure a room in the tower, feeling better won’t be difficult. The furnished rooms are modern and clean, featuring a single bed, microwave, oven, fridge, and television. Weingart Center’s website promotes the South Crocker Street building—called Tower 1—as offering “high-quality apartment living in downtown Los Angeles.
The project is funded by financing from Proposition HHH, a supportive housing program approved by city voters in 2016, as well as state housing funds and $56 million in state tax credits. According to the nonprofit, residents of Weingart Tower 1 will benefit from its on-site comprehensive support services, which are designed to maintain housing stability and address residents’ health and wellness needs. About 40 units are reserved for veterans who qualify.
The tower aims to be a self-contained environment that shields its formerly homeless occupants from the nefarious influences of Skid Row. The first of three high-rises planned for the area around the nonprofit’s headquarters, the second tower is still under construction and will have 302 rooms. The third tower, a 104-unit building, is still in the planning phase.
When completed, this project will create a campus that allows its approximately 700 residents to escape the challenges of Skid Row—a notorious haven for homelessness and poverty. Several advocates and community leaders have commended the project, with Pete White, executive director of the Skid Row advocacy group Los Angeles Community Action Network, stating, “We 100% need more housing in Skid Row.
