Beacon Landing, San Pedro’s newest supportive housing complex, hosted its grand opening on Thursday, July 18. Mental Health Program Manager IV Carrie Esparza attended the event and delivered inspiring remarks to the dozens of collaborators and residents who gathered in the courtyard.
The event’s highlight was Beacon Landing resident Katherine Hove, who spoke candidly about her experience surviving homelessness. She shared how a drug and alcohol addiction drove her to the streets. As her physical health and hygiene deteriorated, her mental health did as well. She spoke of how she frequently considered ending her life.
Despite these challenges, Hove has put them behind her and has spoken in-depth about how moving into Beacon Landing changed her life.
“I stand a little taller, I feel a little better,” Hove said. “I have to remind myself I have a kitchen to cook food in. I have a home to go into now…I thrive in building my shattered past into something beautiful — a life worth living.”
The modular apartments, built just across the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles, features 89 studios. LACDMH funded 43 units with more than $6 million by No Place Like Home dollars. Abode Communities developed and managed the development while LA Family Housing provides supportive services to lift people out of homelessness.
The event also included remarks from a representative out of L.A. County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn’s Office; a representative from Assemblymember Mike Gipson’s Office; Ann Sewill, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles’ Housing Department; Tracie Mann, Chief of Programs for the Los Angeles County Development Authority; Tim Young, Special Programs Coordinator for the Housing Authority of the City of L.A.; Holly Benson, Abode Communities President & CEO; Amber Sheikh, Chief Impact Officer at Sheikh/Impact; Lara Regus, Senior Vice President of Development for Abode Communities; Rosalind Ross, Vice President of Community Development Banking for Chase; Reagan Maechling, Vice President of Acquisitions for Housing Credit Investments; and, Kimberly Roberts, Chief Program Officer for LA Family Housing.
