Congresswoman Welcomes U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to the Construction Site of the New Genesis Apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Leaders praise the investment of federal stimulus dollars for making the project a reality

Downtown Los Angeles, CA – September 30, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard joins community leaders in welcoming U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan to the site of the New Genesis apartment project on Main Street.

The 106‐unit project being developed by the Skid Row Housing Trust will provide permanent supportive housing in a mixed‐use and mixed‐income building with commercial retail space. The development will serve formerly homeless residents and the surrounding neighborhood. A portion of the units will be designated as apartments for working artists and individuals earning less than $37,260 per year. The six‐story building will provide 98 efficiency units and eight one‐bedroom loft‐style apartments, as well as recreational spaces, healthcare and counseling offices.

Federal stimulus dollars comprised $9-million of the $35-million cost of project, which is scheduled to open in December 2011.

Secretary Donovan said that a total of 500 jobs will be created as part of the New Genesis’ project, including 200 for construction alone, and 20 for ongoing permanent positions for tenant services and building operations.

The congresswoman made the following remarks:

“Secretary Donovan welcome and thank you for taking the time to come all the way from Washington, D.C. to learn first-hand about the positive impact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is having in Los Angeles and in my Congressional District. 

The construction of the New Genesis Apartments is just one of many examples of how the over two billion dollars targeted for the 34th Congressional district is living up to President Obama’s promise to reverse the negative results of years of misguided economic policies 

As you have noted, Recovery Act funding for the New Genesis Apartments will create over 500 new jobs ranging from construction to electrical wiring, to intake counselors and case workers, and to external jobs through indirect economic activity.

Most importantly, these jobs with high standard Project Labor Agreements are not going overseas, but are staying right here and going to local community members.

Equally as important is the fact that the permanent housing model that will be used for the New Genesis Apartments will provide safe, secure, supportive housing to homeless individuals currently living on the streets of Skid Row, giving them hope and opportunity for a better life.

In addition, this model which has proven to be more cost-effective at giving stability to the chronically homeless than the current model of street-to-shelter-to-street again, has the potential to save millions of federal dollars.

In other words the Recovery Act is working and making a positive difference.

It is certainly making a difference for those construction workers who now have a job and can provide for their families.

And it will make a difference for those like Shannon, who will be able to live in a permanent stable environment with wrap-around supportive services that will once again give them a stake in life.

While the New Genesis Apartments will be a mixed-use mixed-income building with commercial retail space, it will also make a difference for those who will own and work in those retail stores and the community they‘ll serve.

The construction of this new project highlights how under the leadership of President Obama, we are strengthening our economy to ensure long-term growth while addressing critical social issues such as the President’s vision to end homelessness in our country.

Nevertheless, Mr. Secretary, as you said, unemployment is still much too high.  That is true in my district and in districts throughout the country.

Therefore, I look forward to continuing to work with you, my colleagues in Congress, our Mayor, Councilwoman Perry, and President Obama to escalate the recovery of our economy so that every American who wants to work can find a job.

Again, I thank you for coming to the 34th CD of California and for your exceptional leadership and commitment to strengthening our economy through job creation and addressing homelessness through affordable housing with supportive services.”