LOS ANGELES, CA – Linc Housing has partnered with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) to create HiFi Collective, a new five-story building with 63 supporting residential units and a manager unit, as well as the offices, programming rooms and community of SIPA Cultural Center and that John Eric Swing Small Business Center. The SIPA headquarters will occupy the entire first floor, while the upper floors will house private, affordable apartments. The new studio apartment buildings are designed for qualified families and individuals affected by homelessness.
"This long-term supportive housing project hits the mark on many levels: We are providing 63 housing units for the formerly homeless in the region; we are working with a Filipino service organization that has long been involved in the community. I honor John Eric Swing, his positive one Contributions to historic Filipinotown have left an indelible mark on the neighborhood, "said Los Angeles City Councilor Mitch O & # 39; Farrell." I would like to thank Linc Housing and Search for engaging Pilipino Americans for working with my office to help To provide this much-needed amenity to the residents of the 13th Ward. "
The HiFi Collective location at 3200 West Temple Street in Los Angeles is at the western gateway to historic Filipinotown (HiFi). The project not only creates urgently needed affordable housing in the district, but is also intended as a cultural landmark for the developing HiFi district. HiFi Collective will transform SIPA's current office building into a dynamic, mixed-use structure. The 600 square meter ground floor will be anchored by SIPA's new national headquarters.
In addition to the SIPA offices, the new space will allow SIPA to expand its community programming. The ground floor will cover an area of 2,700 square meters. Multipurpose room and professional kitchen as well as the new John Eric Swing Small Business Center with resources and incubator rooms for entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in working with HiFi or the Fil-Am community. SIPA recently announced the John Eric Swing Small Business Center in honor of the Executive Director and beloved community leader of SIPA who died of COVID-19 in June.
"This important renovation at SIPA took several years and marks the beginning of a turning point for historic Filipinotown," said Jennifer Taylor, director of real estate on the SIPA board of directors. “We are grateful to everyone who has made this progress possible, including our partners at Linc, Mayor Garcetti, Councilor O’Farrell, our historic Filipinotown, and the wider Filipino American community. Thank you for your continued support to SIPA as we advance our goal of changing lives for the better. "
The new community will have 63 studio apartment buildings and a two bedroom manager unit. Residents of the building have private access to various amenities including a common room, computer room, communal kitchen, bicycle parking area, laundry, an outdoor terrace and offices for support services. The location is convenient to public transportation, shopping and other services.
With financial support from Los Angeles County, residents receive intensive case management to ensure they thrive. Support services include mental and physical health services, employment counseling and placement, education, substance abuse counseling, money management, assistance with accessing and maintaining benefits, and referrals to community-based services and resources.
"We do our best job understanding the community and the needs of the neighborhood, and our partnership with SIPA combines their deep community knowledge with LINC's expertise in affordable housing," said Rebecca Clark, President and CEO of Linc Housing. "SIPA's mission aligns with Linc's. We are committed to both improving neighborhoods and empowering people to make positive contributions to the community. We are excited to have SIPA become the cultural community center for all in will bring the neighborhood to life. "
Funding for the development comes from a variety of sources, including construction and permanent loans from Bank of America, HHH funds of $ 12.7 million managed by the Los Angeles City Housing + Community Investment Division (HCIDLA) , and 6.8 million US $ from Los Angeles County Development Agency (No Place Like Home Fund) and tax credit from Raymond James. The project receives a rental grant from the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. California Endowment provided assistance with the pre-development. The Los Angeles County Department of Health will provide funding for support services.
HiFi Collective was designed by D33 Design & Planning, the cultural design by Synthesis Design + Architecture (SDA). It is being built by Walton Construction Inc. The construction of affordable housing was identified as an essential activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the construction team will follow recommended safety protocols to ensure the safety of the construction site. The development should be completed in early 2022. All supportive affordable housing is filled through recommendations from the Coordinated Entry System (CES) of the County of Los Angeles.
