Los Angeles Unified helps open permanent supportive housing complex in Sun Valley

The Los Angeles Unified School District is celebrating the grand opening of a new housing complex that aims to help individuals and families transition from homelessness into permanent housing.

Sun Kings Apartments opened Monday in an area where, the school district says, a large percentage of families with school-age children have faced homelessness in their lives.

The “affordable, permanent supportive housing project” was built with the cooperation and coordination of the school district and Many Mansions, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing and services.

LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said the school district is “committed” to addressing the housing crisis for its families and help students have safe, reliable places to call home.

“Students experiencing homelessness face a much steeper challenge in pursuing academic achievement because of the additional barriers they must overcome,” Carvalho said. “We are steadfast in our resolve to mitigate those challenges, leverage our partnerships and resources to create opportunities like Sun King Apartments and provide critical services to support our students and families.”

The 25-apartment complex provides supportive housing for “chronically homeless households,” an LAUSD news release states. Each unit is fully furnished, energy efficient and strategically located with easy access to freeways and public transit. It’s also located near a hospital, a pharmacy and several LAUSD schools. The complex features on-site laundry, a community room and communal picnic and barbecue space.

The complex is made up of 12 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units, and three 900-square-foot three-bedroom units. All residents are identified as homeless individuals and families that make 30% of the area median income, officials said.

“Sun King Apartments provides a nurturing environment for families as they transition out of homelessness,” the news release reads. “Residents will have access to a range of accessible supportive services to enable them to regain personal stability and thrive long-term, including comprehensive case management, youth programs and after-school support, connections to health care services, education and employment resources, life skills training, and more.”

More than 75,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in Los Angeles County, officials said. The new housing project will provide extra focus on programs for children and teens, with an emphasis on bridging the educational gap that some unhoused students face.

Anica Rubang is among the new residents at Sun King Apartments. She says the first night she and her daughter, Faith, spent in their new home provided a sense of safety and security “we haven’t had in years.”

She said her family is now looking forward to the next chapter in their lives with a safe and stable home.

Officials from the school district, Many Mansions and elected officials attended Monday’s grand opening.

Rick Schroeder, president and CEO of Many Mansions, said these types of permanent housing options have a proven track record of ending homelessness for individuals and families.

“With a roof over their heads and a door they can close, they can begin the process of healing, regaining personal stability, and ultimately, thriving,” Schroeder said. “We know from our deep experience in developing supportive housing that Sun King Apartments will play an impactful role in the lives of our residents for years to come.”

Sun King Apartments was made possible, in part, by funds provided by Proposition HHH, which was passed by voters in 2016 and allows Los Angeles city officials to release state and federal funding for the purpose of building supportive housing.

“Proposition HHH will create a planned 10,519 new homes with life-saving supportive services by 2026, including a planned 8,596 new homes financed directly by HHH,” the school district said.

Multiple community partners also collaborated to make the complex a reality.

For more information about Sun King Apartments, click here.

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