LOS ANGELES, CA – Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) praised the signing of a priority budget allocation granting $50 million in state funds to upgrade and retrofit the historic Los Angeles County General Hospital and to develop the underutilized portion of the West Campus at LAC+USC. The project is set to provide affordable housing units, community services, job creation, workforce development, health and wellness assistance, county services, and renewable energy for the surrounding community.
As part of the Restorative Care Village proposal, the General Hospital project would include 184 market-rate units and 371 affordable units amid a healthcare campus with resources for homelessness, unemployment, mental health and substance abuse.
“This innovative re-imagination of the historic General Hospital will provide critically behavioral health services, along with housing and employment options, for vulnerable residents in Los Angeles County,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo. “It is long overdue that we secure a facility that can readily provide much needed wrap-around, mental health and substance abuse services. This is a bold step in helping Los Angeles solve one of the biggest issues facing our state - finding solutions for our unhoused residents across the country and those needing additional lifesaving services.”
“As the legislature has passed Care Court which aims to get Californians off the streets and into housing, treatment and care, General Hospital stands as a model of what could be possible when local and state resources are put together to create monumental change.”
The General Hospital adaptive reuse project will retrofit the historic building for seismic resiliency, install new roofing, upgrade the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and refurbish the entire building. In addition, the building of new mixed-income rental housing, a local culturally focused grocery store, and community-serving space on West Campus will leverage this County asset to expand the supply of multiple types of affordable rental housing.
“I am grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom and the Los Angeles County delegation in the California Legislature for their support of our Historic General Hospital Reuse project,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, representing the First District.
“Over the eight years of my time as Supervisor for the First District, I have worked with community members to move forward a collective vision for reimagining this iconic structure that holds a special place in the hearts of many Angelenos. This institution once served as a place of healing, and with this project, it can do so once more – providing housing critical to the overall health and well-being of our residents. This funding, coupled with the monetary investments the County has made, will help us take another step in making that dream into reality.”
Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was elected to the California State Assembly in December of 2017. She has served as the Chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, and as a member of the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Budget, Health, Housing and Community Development, and Utilities and Energy.
###