In an afternoon full of inspiring speeches and guest tours, The Laurel officially opened its doors for public consumption at 1413 Michigan Avenue. Hosting 57 formerly unhoused individuals in studio apartments, the four-story building is part of the city’s PSH program that both houses and gives wraparound services to those who received project-based vouchers.
All apartments are fully furnished, equipped with a full kitchen featuring energy-efficient appliances, as well as a twin bed, dining table, chairs and window coverings provided at no additional costs to residents. Each floor holds a laundry facility, while the third and fourth floors have a common area deck. The base floor also has 800 square feet of community space, including the revitalization of Nikkei Hall as a dedicated community room.
Crafting the development in the Pico neighborhood was developer EAH Housing, alongside architect KFA Architecture. The People Concern works as the service partner for the site, providing tenants with life skills classes, budgeting classes and community-building social activities.
"The Laurel is a shining example of our collective ability to impact change and create a world we can all be proud of, a world where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home," said EAH Housing Chief Real Estate Development Officer Welton Jordan at the opening event.
A $11.7 million Housing Trust Fund loan from the city, along with ongoing city housing vouchers, funded the project and brought the city’s total PSH unit count to 181. A total of 98 more units are currently in development.
Out of the 57 who received the vouchers, seven were referred through the Los Angeles County Pathway Home initiative, a partnership between the city, the county and the Office of County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. Mayor Phil Brock said that handing keys to those in the Pathway Home program back in February was "the most profound day" during his time on Santa Monica City Council.
"[Tenants] are adjunct college professors, art educators, filmmakers, tattoo artists and businessmen who struggled to stay afloat in their Santa Monica neighborhoods after life-changing events … some have been street homeless in Santa Monica for more than 10, 15, and in one case, 25 years," Brock said. "Now, thanks to collaboration and hard work from so many of the wonderful people who are present here today, these folks have a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives."
That "one case" was Christopher Felts, who has been battling homelessness for decades in both San Francisco and Santa Monica, and was able to share his story with the bevy of supporters gathered at The Laurel.
"It can be very difficult to be unhoused," Felts said. "Several times I just lost interest and became discouraged because it takes so long … people who have been homeless, especially [for] a long time, they need a little help. [That’s what] supportive housing is all about."
The Laurel’s community room is also inspiring for Japanese-American locals, as the space honors Nikkei Hall, which became a gathering space for American-born Japanese families in 1957. A place to celebrate heritage and mark special occasions, Nikkei Hall was designated as a historic landmark in 2018 and was acquired by EAH Housing a year later as an adaptive reuse project.
Integrating the hall into The Laurel complex, EAH stated, "highlights the importance of preserving cultural landmarks" and ensures that "the legacy of the Japanese-American community endures alongside new developments."
"Nikkei Hall served an important [role] … providing space for people to meet socially and receive support services," said Steve Ohigashi, son of original Nikkei Hall member Yutaka Jack Ohigashi. The lone surviving original Nikkei Hall Board Member, Kazuko Sue Takahashi, was in attendance for the occasion.
thomas@smdp.com
