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View Winners → West Valley’s first ‘cabin community’ for unhoused opens in Reseda
San Fernando Valley May 26, 2021
| Photo courtesy of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
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The West Valley’s first “Cabin Community” for local unhoused Angelenos opened Wednesday behind Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s district office in Reseda, consisting of 52 tiny homes with 100 beds that will be made available to those experiencing homelessness on nearby streets.
“Our cabin community will improve the lives of both the homeless and the housed residents in the West Valley, providing a safe and stable environment for the most vulnerable folks in our city,” Blumenfield said. “We need more innovative solutions like cabin communities so that we can help more unhouse people transition into permanent housing, as well as reduce the many humanitarian and health issues that arise from people living on the streets.”
The Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission will operate the site, to be known as the Sycamore Cabin Community.
“The streets cannot be the waiting room for permanent housing. At Hope of The Valley, we believe in interim housing and permanent housing,” said HotV CEO Ken Craft. “It is cruel and inhumane to leave people on the streets while affordable and supportive housing is being built. Our organization is thankful for the vision of Councilmember Blumenfield and the mayor to make this site a reality.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti said the location is “a place for our most vulnerable Angelenos to find safety, security, certainty and hope in the heart of the San Fernando Valley.”
“With Councilmember Blumenfield leading the way and so many partners stepping up to the plate, our city is proud to open the doors of this new home for our unhoused neighbors in Reseda and provide them a warm place to rest their heads and start on the path to healing, housing and a brighter future,” he said.
The site, constructed at a cost of about $3.1 million, is anticipated to operate for five years, with a goal for each cabin to serve at least two people per year for a six-month stay.
Residents will receive three meals a day. Additional shared amenities include laundry, restroom facilities and 24/7 security, as well as case management and drug and mental health counseling. Pets will be welcome, and there is an on-site dog run.
Each cabin has its own air conditioner and heater, and light-colored paint treatments on both the cabins and surrounding asphalt will help reflect heat. All existing trees on the site were preserved.
In the next few weeks, Blumenfield and Hope of the Valley will open a second cabin community in the West Valley, located on an underutilized Metro lot in Tarzana.
From Thursday through Saturday, Hope of The Valley staff will be conducting both private and public tours of the Reseda location. Residents can go to https://www.hopeofthevalley.org/tinyhomes/reseda/ to schedule their slot.
