A housing developer and city officials Thursday celebrated the groundbreaking of a new tiny home village in East Hollywood that is expected to open 51 beds, of which 10 will be dedicated for youth.
Located on Sierra Vista Avenue, the housing project received $33 million in grant funding from the state. It’s expected to open in early 2027.
City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, who represents the 13th District, where the tiny home village is being constructed, said the city needs more temporary housing for unhoused individuals. Currently, the city only has enough interim housing for about one-third of people living on the streets.
“That’s unacceptable,” Soto-Martinez said in a statement. “At a time when funding is being cut at every level of government, the determination and creativity to took from my team and out trusted service providers to break ground on these 51 beds is truly extraordinary.”
The project is being by supported by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Hope the Mission, Built on Site Systems, Lehrer Architects and the Zegar Family Foundation.
Tiny homes are being constructed using Built on Site Systems modular units, which are about 64 square feet each. The project will also feature a communal dining area, community room, laundry facilities, office for case managers and support staff and an outdoor gathering area.
Hope the Mission will provide on-site services such as case management, mental health services, substance-use counseling, life-skills training, job placement assistance and housing navigation.
Mayor Karen Bass also attended the ceremony. She noted that an Inside Operation around the corner from the site took place a while ago, in which 20 unhoused people were moved in doors.
“These tiny homes will provide safe, stable interim housing for more than 50 of our unhoused population. But this is about more than four walls and a roof — it is about dignity, and giving people a real chance to start again,” Bass said a statement.