Photo by Keats Elliot Photography
LAFH celebrates the grand opening of our latest permanent supportive housing community in Chatsworth
We were thrilled to gather with community members, partner organizations, and civic leaders from across Los Angeles to celebrate the grand opening of The Cielo in Chatsworth this morning, a new permanent supportive housing community that used prefabricated modular construction to create 99 permanent supportive homes.
“It is a privilege to work alongside elected officials, funders, and community partners who understand the power of permanent supportive housing to transform communities and individual peoples’ lives,” Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, President and CEO of LA Family Housing (LAFH), told the gathering. “The Cielo offers not just a place to live, but a true home, along with the support and services that help restore dignity, foster hope, and create lasting pathways to stability—making it possible for individuals to leave homelessness behind for good.”
This project is unique to LAFH. It’s one of five new modular supportive housing developments built as part of a $40 million City of Los Angeles HHH Innovation Challenge Award made to LAFH, Abode Communities, and Mercy Housing California as a nonprofit developer collaborative. The Award was designed to reduce the cost and time needed to produce more permanent supportive housing by streamlining the site selection, design, and financing of supportive homes using prefabricated modular construction.
“The grand opening of The Cielo represents what’s possible when we invest Measure HHH funding into innovative, comprehensive solutions that address homelessness and the need for affordable housing across the City,” said Mayor Karen Bass in a statement. “Residents at The Cielo have access to on-site case management, internet access, and outdoor space – providing more than housing, but long-term stability. Congratulations to LA Family Housing on today’s milestone, and I hope to build on this progress to continue changing lives for the better.”
The Cielo is the latest in our portfolio of LAFH and LAFHBuilds permanent supportive housing communities. At a time when more than 72,000 people experience homelessness on any given night across LA County, The Cielo brings critically-needed housing and supportive services to individuals who experienced chronic homelessness and live with some combination of mental illness, substance use disorders, and medical conditions, and/or other barriers to housing stability.
“Moving people off of our city streets and into long-term stability requires housing that is paired with support and ongoing oversight. The Cielo is built around that principle. I look forward to their ongoing commitment to help those who are in most need while remaining good neighbors to the surrounding community,” said Councilmember John Lee.
In addition to housing, The Cielo offers residents access to a range of supportive services to enable them to regain personal stability and thrive long-term. "Using Measure A funding, we are proud to partner with LA Family Housing to provide Intensive Case Management Services that meet residents at The Cielo where they are, offering connections to everything from healthcare to support with daily living so they can truly thrive,” said Sarah Mahin, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and housing.
After the program, a ceremonial ribbon was cut by The Cielo resident, Kyle Phipps, who shared his lived experience with chronic homelessness during the event. “For the first time in eight years, I feel ready for what comes next,” he shared. “After eight years without a home, my wife and I finally have one. Today I’m working. I’m getting ready to finance a car. I’m staying clean and sober. My biggest goal is earning back my kids’ trust and being the father they deserve. They come visit me here. They are proud of me. And that means everything.”