COMPTON – 33 unhoused people were moved off of Compton streets during a special operation on Jan. 12.
The goal of the Pathway Home Operation was to move people experiencing homelessness off the streets of Compton and into safe interim housing, where they will receive supportive services and other resources that will enable them to transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing.
Compton Mayor Emma Sharif was on hand for the operation and thanked all of the agencies responsible for moving the unhoused off the streets and into safe housing.
“My office had the opportunity to attend the Pathway Home Operation at DPSS to witness firsthand the expertise that goes into assisting the homeless population throughout Los Angeles County and in the City of Compton,” said Sharif. “We also had the opportunity to go under the Artesia Bridge and see the operation of the individuals living under the Artesia Bridge being placed in safer housing opportunities and given resources.”
Sharif estimates there are 600 people experiencing homelessness in the City.
The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and the City of Compton in conducting the Pathway Home operation on January 9th.
“LA County continues to make significant progress in helping people move from unhealthy and unsafe conditions on the street and finding them housing and supportive services,” LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said. “These comprehensive efforts under Pathway Home help break the cycle of homelessness by putting our neighbors onto a journey toward permanent housing and stability.”
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the nonprofit service provider HOPICS were essential to bringing unsheltered residents indoors, as they had built trusting relationships with them by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience. HOPICS will continue to work with them at the interim housing location, a motel.
The County purchased the former Willow Tree Inn located at 1919 W. Artesia Blvd. in 2021 for $14 million using funds from the state under the Homekey program.
The Willow Tree needs an estimated $14.3 million in renovations to transform its rooms into studio apartments, according to The People Concern, the nonprofit that operates the site.
The site was used to temporarily house people during the pandemic, then they were relocated at the start of 2022.
The project site remains under construction with an anticipated reopening date in 2025, according to publicly available documents.