Homeless, penniless, disabled
Prior to being accepted by Homes for Life, Bob was homeless, penniless, disabledand desperate. After being evicted from his residence, he lived in six different shelters and was suicidal.
“I cannot say enough about Homes for Life Foundation and the people who work there. They have given me my life back.”
On June 13, 2014, the Homes for Life Foundation (HFLF) and Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) Community Development Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the HFLF Sequoia Apartments. HFLF Sequoia Apartments provide 24 housing units for low-income adults with mental disabilities, 12 of which are specifically set-aside for chronically homeless adults with mental disabilities. The lack of permanent, affordable, supportive housing has been one of the main obstacles to stabilized lives for mentally disabled adults. All units are affordable and range from 30% to 50% average median income.
Design of the HFLF Sequoia Apartments integrates the unique and various Mediterranean architectural styles found in the surrounding neighborhood. The development was constructed on a previously vacant lot, which had long been an eyesore in the community. HFLF Sequoia Apartments represents a high performing, energy efficient structure in the area and establishes a new precedent for what can be achieved in underserved communities in Los Angeles. The building was designed with many “green” elements and is targeting LEED Gold Certification. Some of the unique features include a permeable parking lot and bioswale, to help reduce and clean stormwater runoff, drought resistant landscaping, thermal solar water heating, recycling and LED lights throughout the building. Taking full advantage of the mild Southern California climate, two rooftop terraces provide a serene yet secure outdoor environment for residents with shade trellises and raised planter gardens around the perimeter.
In addition to providing quality housing, the development offers community and social service space to its residents. On-site supportive services include life skills development, mental health counseling, crisis intervention, economic empowerment through linkages to employment and education, and networking for off-site mental health services. A resident manager also lives on-site to assist residents capable of independent living.
HFLF Sequoia Apartments would not be possible without funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the National Equity Fund, and the Corporation for Supportive Housing. The HUD 811 program provided almost $4.1 million in funding, the National Equity Fund provided $4.8 million in tax credit equity investment, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority provided over $500,000 in funding for capital and services.
“National Equity Fund is proud to partner with LTSC Community Development Corporation and Homes for Life Foundation to enable residents of the HFLF Sequoia Apartments to live independently in a safe and stable home with vital social services,” commented Todd Fabian, vice president and regional manager at National Equity Fund, Inc., the development’s source of LIHTC equity. “Its developments like Sequoia that make this industry so rewarding.”
Homes for Life Foundation was formed as a nonprofit housing and services agency in 1986, and is dedicated to establishing a network of permanent, affordable, supportive housing within the geographical boundaries of Los Angeles County for homeless and chronically homeless individuals who suffer from mental disabilities. The fundamental purpose of offering mentally disabled adults the choice of a ‘home for life’ is to prevent their downward spiral of despair and crises due to lack of the same.
LTSC Community Development Corporation is a non-profit community-based organization, which has been providing services for over 30 years to the greater Los Angeles community. Programs include senior services, assistance for victims of domestic violence, support groups, social services, child abuse and neglect outreach, emergency food and shelter assistance, affordable housing, youth programs and community economic development.
Choong Whan Park is a professor of Marketing at the University of Southern California. Prior to joining the Marshall School of Business, Professor Park was the Albert Wesley Frey Distinguished Professor of Marketing at the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh (1979-1997). He holds a B.A. in German language and literature from Seoul National University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois.
Professor Park has published numerous articles in Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Consumer Research, and Journal of Consumer Psychology. In 1987 he was the recipient of the Alpha Kappa Psi award for his article which appeared in the Journal of Marketing. Professor Park co-authored Marketing Management (1987), with Dr. Gerald Zaltman from Harvard University, and Handbook of Brand Relationships (2009) with Deborah MacInnis and Joseph Priester. He is a recipient of the 2012 Fellow of Society of Consumer Psychology.
Professor Park was an advisor for Samsung from 1989 to 1998 and also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Samsung Corporation from 2001 to 2010. He was Editor of Journal of Consumer Psychology (2008-2012) and is currently Director of Global Branding Center at Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California (2008-present).
Stephanie Davis is the publisher and editor of the Westchester/Playa HomeTown News, a community newspaper serving the areas of Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey. In her role as editor, Stephanie enjoys sharing stories of people, businesses, places and organizations that make up the Westchester/Playa area and is proud to sponsor numerous community events including the Fourth of July Parade, Jet to Jetty, Race for Success, Rotary Home Makeover and the Teacher Eddy Awards.
Chris Gundel worked as a school psychologist for several years, and after completing a PhD in psychology, transitioned to the high tech industry as an industrial education psychologist. He also obtained an MBA and for 33 years used his combined knowledge of psychology, education, and business to lead tech training for IBM. Chris is currently employed at NC$-U.S.
On a personal level, as the father of a child with ADHD, Chris has learned firsthand the importance of advocating for and supporting organizations that help individuals with special needs. When an opening to serve on the board of HFLF appeared, Chris was thrilled with the opportunity to help such a worthwhile cause.
Paul Stansbury has worked in various capacities in the field of higher education in community colleges since 1972. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management. He later attended the University of Southern California, receiving a Master of Business Administration. Next, he received a Master of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach. He also attended Pepperdine University where he graduated with a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.
Paul’s community contributions include serving as President of the South Bay Affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness. He also serves on the Culver City – Palms YMCA Board, and the Starview Family & Children’s Services Board. Paul and his wife reside in Manhattan Beach, have three sons and two grandchildren.
Roger Goff is an attorney at Wolf, Rifkin, Shaprio, Schulman & Rabkin where he mostly works with the film industry, representing both producers and financiers in a variety of film finance transactions. He is consistently involved in the development and production of dozens of feature films, negotiating deals with representatives for writers, actors, and directors, in addition to arranging financing and distribution. Prior to becoming an attorney, Roger worked in radio and television broadcasting, commercial production, advertising, and as a studio musician. He carried this experience with him into the early days of his law career in the music industry and spent many years representing independent record labels. Combined with his technical background, this experience gave him particular expertise in the developing areas of digital media and entertainment technology.
Roger is also an adjunct professor in the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University, where he teaches Business and Legal Affairs and The Business of Business (co-taught with producer Paula Wagner). He is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and regularly comments on legal and business issues surrounding film, music, and digital media.
Elizabeth Krider joined the Board of Directors in 2001. She worked at the California Institute of Technology in different capacities for over 10 years. She is also employed as a Science Policy & Research Consultant.
Elizabeth began her research career by studying the chemical basis of schizophrenia during a college internship. She graduated with a BS in biochemistry with honors from Brigham Young University. She then pursued research in chemistry at Cal Tech, receiving her PhD in 2000.
Elizabeth is the author of five scientific papers and is the recipient of numerous science awards and scholarships. She serves on the board of directors at the Oak Crest Institute of Science. She is also active in the East Pasadena Relief Society and various community outreach efforts involving elderly single women and middle school aged girls.
Elizabeth and her husband David live in La Canada with their three children.