EcoHood: Building a Better L.A.

Through the vision and leadership of Summit Impact Criminal Justice Fellows, Pete White and Mike De La Rocha, a new project called EcoHood looks to build a better Los Angeles, with a sustainable and innovative approach to combating homelessness.

Los Angeles’ homeless population increased by 14% over last year, with tents and makeshift dwellings clogging sidewalks. Billions in government funds have been allocated towards costly, inefficient public-private partnership housing deals that take years to complete.

From Pete and Mike’s perspective, “Housing is not a commodity. Housing is a human right. It is a public good,” and the city needs a new alternative that utilizes the government’s vast inventory of vacant or underutilized public and private properties.

The EcoHood development is creating a template for a new housing paradigm. Combining prefabricated, modular-built small-footprint residences with solar power and other energy performance features, LA CAN’s EcoHood pilot project will feature twelve 275 to 325 square foot fully-equipped 1BR and 2BR units. This complex with include an organic gardening space, fostering a relaxing sense of community, and enabling residents to pursue educational and employment opportunities.

According to Pete and Mike, what makes the EcoHood model unique is a faster, more affordable solution, with an average price per unit of $85,000; a more dignified home design, in contrast to the tiny home, pallet shelters projects designed for disaster relief; and a longer term solution, filling the gap between temporary housing solutions and permanent supportive housing.

Adding to the efficiencies, the EcoHood neighborhood will be located on donated land and will not rely on public resources, with funding for the innovative $4 million project coming from individual and foundation giving and events.

To learn more about the EcoHood project, visit cangress.org.