A tiny home village has opened in Torrance to temporarily shelter people experiencing homelessness until they can be connected to a home of their own.
“This program will provide a safe, comfortable place for people to stay while they get connected with permanent housing,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Called 3290 Temporary Housing Village at Civic Center Drive, the project is the result of close collaboration among Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and the City of Torrance, as well as the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative, South Bay Cities Council of Governments, and Harbor Interfaith Services.
Last year, the Torrance City Council approved using the Torrance Civic Center grounds to be the site of a tiny home village. Supervisor Hahn then supplemented funding from the City of Torrance and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments to further advance the project. Measure H was a significant source of funding.
“When I came into office, I let all of the cities in my district know that anyone who was willing to approve a shelter in their community could count on me to get them the money they need to make it happen,” Supervisor Hahn said. “I am a woman of my word and Torrance is the latest city in my district to take me up on that offer.”
“With this new Temporary Housing Village, Torrance is choosing to be part of the solution to our homelessness crisis,” she added. “These tiny homes are going to be life changing for the people who move in here in the coming weeks and months.”
L-R: Torrance Mayor Patrick J. Furey and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
Torrance Mayor Patrick J. Furey said, “There is not a community untouched by this crisis. Thanks to the 3290 Temporary Housing Village we are addressing the needs of those experiencing homelessness here in Torrance. This pilot program will make an impact on lives and make a difference in our community. It truly takes a village and I am so proud of the one we have built here.”
Built by industry leader Pallet, the tiny home village includes 40 individual living units, each encompassing 64 square feet of living space, air conditioning, power, and other basic necessities. Residents will also have access to restrooms, laundry facilities and daily meals, along with wraparound services in the form of case management and housing navigation.
Harbor Interfaith Services, a nonprofit homeless services provider based in the South Bay, will operate the site. Its professionally trained staff will develop a housing plan for each client with the goal of finding them a more permanent housing solution. Some of the support offered to clients at the tiny home village will range from life and job skills training to substance use disorder treatment and healthcare services, in partnership with the Venice Family Clinic.
“This project is a showcase of innovation and collaboration between Los Angeles County and the City of Torrance, which worked hand-in-hand from start to finish so that people experiencing homelessness can have a safe place to begin their journey to stability and permanent housing,” LA County Homeless Initiative Executive Director Cheri Todoroff said. “The County is stepping up its commitment to partnering with cities to address homelessness, including exploring co-investment opportunities to create more housing in their communities.”
More info is available on the City of Torrance’s website as well as in this article published by the Daily Breeze.
