City Controller Ron Galperin recently discussed his audit of HHH which was voted on in 2016 to fund supportive housing. A total of $362 million of the 1.2 billion has been issued and less than half of it has been spent. He calls for an increased sense of urgency, reevaluation of the most expensive proposals and consideration of other options.
We have at least one success story and expect more soon! Councilmember Buscaino reports that over 70 people have already moved into the Watts #ABridgeHome by the end of November with more move-ins scheduled. While people were moving in, a homeless dog moved himself in too! He has been named Watts by the staff who looked after him. With the support of local friends, Watts was able to get vaccinated, groomed, and ready for adoption. A family fostered him over a weekend and decided to fully adopt him. Watts now lives with a family of two other rescued dogs in his new home. What a great story!
The Watts Bridge Housing project will be the first project to complete in Council District 15 and hiring has begun! The 100 bed facility is due to open October 1.
Next steps include selecting a site operator, the private security operator, working with the community to determine final design elements and more.
Councilmember Buscaino has asked the Mayor’s office to conduct a viability check on three sites for Interim Housing in Council District 15. The first location is a city-owned lot in Watts at 2316 East Imperial Highway.