With ever-rising rents, many young adults struggle to find and maintain safe, quality, affordable housing. This leaves vulnerable youth – particularly those aging out of the foster care system without family support – at risk of homelessness. Housing stability is the most basic foundation young people need to build a better future. 

“There is no more important task than addressing homelessness, especially homelessness as it relates to young people,” said California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez. “It is unacceptable for young people -- including emancipated foster youth -- to have to couch surf, live in cars, or huddle under bridges or inside tents along the roadside in our great state.” 

Today, Director Velasquez joined the Los Angeles community to celebrate the groundbreaking of an affordable housing development to help address this issue. The Nest on Exposition will provide 24 interim homes for youth through age 25, many who have aged out of the foster care system in Los Angeles County. A joint project of the County and Wellnest Emotional Health & Wellness, The Nest on Exposition will also offer supportive services for its residents. 

The project is supported by almost $7.7 million in funding from HCD’s Homekey program. To date, Homekey has helped fund 250 projects and the creation of 15,319 permanent and interim homes. With these homes required to be affordable for at least 55 years, the properties funded to date by Homekey will help more than 167,000 Californians prevent or exit homelessness.

HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo credit - Bobby Gulrajani.

The Nest on Exposition Groundbreaking Ceremony. Photo credit - Bobby Gulrajani.