LOS ANGELES JOB CORPS
The LA Job Corps program is currently operated out of 6 buildings in downtown Los Angeles centered around South Hill Street and West 11th Street. Additionally, one of the residential facilities is located in the Hollywood area. The program currently serves approximately 735 clients, of which 380 are residents and 355 are non-resident participants. Annually, approximately 1,200 youth are served and it is estimated that over 65% of residents in the program are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The average stay in the program is about 10 months, though the program is designed to last up to 24 months depending upon need.
LOS ANGELES JOB CORP URBAN CAMPUS
The Job Corps Urban Campus is a being created to replace very old and outdated service facilities, many of which were built in the 1920’s. In addition, The Urban Campus will create a “campus” environment where core Job Corps services are consolidated in one centralized area. It will bring together all residents under one roof (currently being housed at Studio Club in Hollywood and Case Hotel in downtown LA), contain all medical and supportive services, as well as house the YWCA Administrative Offices. The Urban Campus is specifically designed to improve trainee success by removing barriers and through facilitating a more streamlined service delivery model. The new campus will also allow for much needed space and service capacity increases, most importantly by increasing residential capacity by 20 beds (total of 400) and vastly expanding the health facilities. The total project development costs for this groundbreaking facility is $60,000,000. A detailed list of the planned campus facilities for the current project includes:
- Total building area is 154,000 GSF; Site area of 36,000 SF.
- One 7-story mixed-use building with outside courtyard.
- Building will have approximately 550 rooms overall.
- 200 bedrooms will house 400 beds for young men and women.
- Health facilities (medical, dental, mental health and substance abuse).
- Kitchen, Serving and Dining Facilities.
- Comprehensive Support/Case Management Services.
- Recreational facilities located indoors and outdoors.
- Space for vocational training and classroom facilities.
- Library for all participants.
- Campus-wide green spaces.
- Indoor lounges, recreation, computer, study and common rooms.
- Administrative facilities for YWCA staff.
FINANCIAL SOURCES
In order to complete the construction of this project, a vast array of financial resources are being sought. Direct contact and on-going negotiations are currently being pursued to acquire the necessary funding from public, private and government sources. Conversations with multiple foundations have proven to be very successful in their initial stage and on-going talks continue to work on securing their financial backing. Funds to run the program operations, once the Urban Campus is completed, will be completely covered by the operating contract between the YWCA/GLA and the Federal Department of Labor, which has existed since 1965. Listed below are the sources secured or currently being pursued in order to develop the project:
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles
- Developer In Lieu Fees
- YWCA Sponsored Funds
- City of Industry Funds, LA County Community Development Commission
- Department of Commerce, EDA Grant
- Emergency Housing Assistance Program, CA State Government
- Section 108 Funds
- Affordable Housing Program/ Federal Home Loan Bank of SF
- Conventional and low-interest lending institutions
- Multiple National and Regional Foundations
PROJECT TIMELINE
The project site was acquired in May of 2004. A full development team consisting of the architect, contractor, project manager, and multiple planning and financial consultants deal with the intricacies of this complex urban project. Planning approval began in December of 2004, and is scheduled for completion in June 2008. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2008 and completed in July 2010.
