- Alexandria House and Hollywood Community Housing Corporation today announced the acquisition and development of the Alexandria House Apartments, a 16-unit affordable housing development that will help formerly homeless women and their children transition from their stay at Alexandria House into the mainstream.

A partnership formed by the two nonprofit public benefit organizations has purchased an apartment building less than one block from Alexandria House, a transitional shelter and neighborhood center for women and women with children.  Alexandria House Apartments will provide permanent, affordable housing to residents of Alexandria House who have successfully completed a rigorous transitional residence program and are ready to re-establish their lives and homes, but need affordability assistance.  The building will undergo extensive refurbishment and is expected to open in early 2008.

"Alexandria House Apartments will be a model for future developments in women's services and other assistance organizations", said Judy Vaughan, founder and executive director of Alexandria House. "It is a tremendous example of a comprehensive social service organization teaming with a strong affordable housing developer to provide the uniquely effective supportive services that have been proven to keep families permanently housed without further incidence of homelessness. Alexandria House residents have an impressive 83% success rate in maintaining permanent housing after completing our program." A key contributing factor in this high rate of success is the agency's commitment to maintaining contact with former residents and providing ongoing services and a personal support system. "Having the apartments just down the block provides an ideal way for families to continue accessing our child care, after school and counseling programs."

In addition to providing affordable housing, Alexandria House Apartments will help to maintain the character of its Los Angeles neighborhood.  The mid-century apartment building was originally slated to be torn down and replaced with a larger condominium development.  Instead of continuing neighborhood gentrification, the new development will provide housing for people with incomes as low as 35% of the area median income.
Hollywood Community Housing Corporation and Alexandria House were able to acquire the site with the support of numerous organizations including the Enterprise Community Loan Fund, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the St. Joseph Health System.  The project is located in Los Angeles Council District 4 and has the strong support of L.A. city councilman Tom LaBonge. 

About Alexandria House
Alexandria House was founded in 1996 to provide hospitality and housing to women and children struggling to regain stability following the trauma of homelessness.  These types of traumas result in long-term psychological, health, financial and family damage that take time to heal. Women participating in our program have up to two years to address those issues and take advantage of opportunities to start their lives anew. A neighborhood center, Alexandria House also provides child care, after school programs, teen  and college-prep programs, ESL and computer classes for adults, support groups, and health and wellness education, as well as neighborhood celebrations that build community and dismantle racial and cultural barriers.

About Hollywood Community Housing Corporation
Founded in 1989, Hollywood Community Housing Corporation is a community-based nonprofit organization committed to expanding the supply of affordable housing and services for disadvantaged persons in Hollywood and the surrounding community. Through its housing development activities and community efforts, HCHC seeks to improve neighborhoods and the quality of life for lower income households. HCHC has completed 659 units of housing at 19 developments for low-income families and disabled households.

Press contacts:
Alexandria House                        
Judy Vaughan                        
(213) 381-2649                  

Hollywood Community Housing Corporation
William Harris
(323) 469-0710  ext. 210