Los Angeles Family Housing (LAFH), which aims to end homelessness and increase affordable housing opportunities in Los Angeles, will honor Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Santa Monica Councilman Bobby Shriver and developer Mark Weinstein at its sixth annual Awards Dinner to be held from on Thursday, November 17, at the Globe Theater at Universal Studios.
The dinner is expected to raise more than $600,000 for LAFH, founded in 1983 in the San Fernando Valley and now serving nearly 7,500 homeless individuals each year with emergency, transitional and permanent housing services. Tickets are $250 each.
At the event, Audrey Irmas will be thanked for a $50,000 contribution just made to LAFH from the Audrey and Sydney M. Irmas Charitable Trust, the organization’s chief private supporter. LAFH established the Sydney M. Irmas Outstanding Humanitarian Award to honor the late philanthropist and attorney who rescued LAFH in 1984 when a lack of funding threatened to shut it done. The award recognizes those who use their influence and energies to serve those less fortunate.
LAFH will also announce a partnership with MJW Investments, a leading commercial real estate development company, to deliver 155 affordable housing units to individuals and families at the historic Sears redevelopment project located at Olympic Boulevard and Soto Street in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles. The agreement marks the first time a Los Angeles nonprofit organization has partnered with a for-profit housing developer for a project of this scale.
L.A. Family Housing Legacy Award recipient MJW Investments president Mark Weinstein joined with LAFH for the development that marks the first time a Los Angeles nonprofit organization and for-profit housing developer are partnering for a project of this scale. According to the agreement, LAFH, with a 17-year track record of service in Boyle Heights, will serve as the primary nonprofit partner to MJW Investments for the development, sale/leasing and management of affordable housing units within the Sears redevelopment project. LAFH will help to secure public financing for the construction of the affordable rental units. In addition, LAFH will screen and identify qualified tenants for the affordable rental units and serve as property manager once these units are built and occupied. For the for-sale condominiums, LAFH will work with the City of Los Angeles to secure mortgage assistance for low- and moderate-income homebuyers, will assist with down payment applications and subsidies for condominium buyers from state, federal and private sources, will identify, screen and pre-qualify potential homebuyers and provide homeownership education.
L.A. Family Housing Inspiration Award recipient Villaraigosa has been committed to increasing affordable housing since entering public service as a California Assembly member in 1994. The mayor recently announced an unprecedented $1 billion affordable housing bond for the City of Los Angeles, as well as earmarking a $50 million increase to the city’s Housing Trust Fund.
Sydney M. Irmas Outstanding Humanitarian Award recipient Santa Monica Councilman Bobby Shriver is raising awareness about Santa Monica’s homeless families and veterans and seeking affordable housing for both groups.
Since its formation in 1983, LAFH has provided emergency shelter, transitional and permanent affordable housing, all combined with supportive services, to approximately 90,000 homeless and low-income individuals and families. LAFH has built and manages a portfolio of 21 facilities representing 439 units and more than 2,000 beds including emergency shelter for up to 90 days, transitional housing for up to two years, long-term affordable housing throughout Los Angeles, shelter beds for veterans, disabled, and those with HIV/AIDS.Dinner chairs are longtime LAFH supporters Linda and Steve Brown of Hoffman Brown Company in Sherman Oaks. Citibank, Washington Mutual and Century Housing are presenting sponsors. Kevin Cronin and Dave Amato of REO Speedwagon will perform at the event.
