LA Family Housing (LAFH) has begun construction on The Emerald, a new affordable and permanent supportive housing building in Lancaster, CA. The project will feature 72 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing for families who have experienced chronic homelessness. Officials from Los Angeles County and the City of Lancaster celebrated the new development at two groundbreaking events in February.
“The Emerald Project is a symbol of hope for many families in Lancaster,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the county’s Fifth District. “It will provide stability to individuals and families who otherwise would be homeless. I applaud all the partners who came together to make it a reality. Housing is a basic human right, and I am committed to bringing more affordable and permanent housing projects like the Emerald to the communities I represent.”
Residents at The Emerald will have access to a range of supportive services to help them regain personal stability, including comprehensive case management, connections to health care services, education and employment resources, life skills training, and more. The development will also feature amenities such as an open-air courtyard, community rooms, a computer lab, laundry facilities, and walking paths for exercise.
“The construction of the Emerald and the anticipation of 72 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing coming to Lancaster is welcome news,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “The LACDA looks to partners such as LA Family Housing to meet the growing need in Los Angeles County, particularly for the residents the development will serve, such as chronically homeless individuals and homeless families. The Emerald will be especially welcomed given that the last Homeless Count revealed a 12.7% increase in homelessness for the County, from 2019 to 2020.”
One of the largest homeless service providers and affordable housing developers in LA County, LAFH currently operates 30 properties of interim, affordable, and supportive housing across the County. The organization has more than 700 new homes in the pipeline to be completed in the coming years.
“We are excited to expand our work in the Antelope Valley with the delivery of new homes at The Emerald,” said Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, President and CEO of LA Family Housing. “LA Family Housing is proud to have collaborated these past five years with our service partners, elected officials, and the communities of Lancaster, Palmdale, and the unincorporated areas of the Valley in order to expand the resources and services available to those most in need in the region.”