Abandoned Hollywood Library Could Become Homeless Shelter

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to explore converting several city-owned properties into homeless shelters, storage facilities or navigation centers, including an abandoned library in Hollywood.

"I'm proud today to begin turning this abandoned library into a beacon of hope for our most vulnerable Angelenos," Councilman David Ryu said of a building at 1403 N. Gardner St.

Properties at 11839 Sherman Way in North Hollywood and 2175 John S. Gibson Blvd. in San Pedro were also included in the motion, which was approved on a 12-0 vote.

The motion directs city staff to review the properties to determine if they are suitable for a shelter, storage facility or navigation center, and, if eligible, to include the properties on a list that could use funds from Proposition HHH, which was approved by city voters in 2016 to raise $1.2 billion for housing for the homeless.

Ryu said he wanted the old library in Hollywood to be converted into a crisis or bridge shelter for women and children.

"Since last year, the city's population of homeless families has grown by nearly 30 percent, and the overwhelming majority of homeless children and families are led by women," Ryu said. "Not only that, but homeless women face an inordinate amount of assault, harassment and danger living on the streets of Los Angeles. These women and families need our help, and they need it now."

City News Service; Photo: A homeless man, who declined to give his name, is dwarfed by skyscrapers Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, in Los Angeles. The U.S. Department on Housing and Urban Development release of the 2017 homeless numbers are expected to show a dramatic increase in the number of people lacking shelter along the West Coast. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)