[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]t’s another case of "Anywhere But My Backyard" when it comes to housing the homeless.
While L.A. grapples with rising rents, gentrification, and a homelessness crisis that grew under L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, in Southeast L.A. County, a similar struggle continues to brew over the American Legion Hollydale Post 723.
The organization has been serving military veterans since the 1940s, but years of financial troubles and now recent plans for a homeless housing facility have led to its looming eviction. After being on a month-to-month lease contract with the county for several years, Post 723 recently signed a termination agreement stating it has until Nov. 15 to vacate.
The county owned property in the city of Downey is now slated to be turned into a homeless housing facility that will provide affordable apartments and onsite support services for homeless persons, including vets. County Supervisor Janice Hahn saw the site as underutilized and as a way to address the regional homeless crisis. The Downey City Council approved the plans earlier this year.
But its approval has been met with resistance.