Hilda L. Solis Care First Village

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

As the 2020 Homeless Count showed over 66,000 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County (County), the County declared a homeless crisis. In response to the emergency, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed Public Works to find ways to build supportive housing units as fast as possible. Public Works initiated a housing program team with members of several County departments and contractors to find innovative ways to build quickly. The Board of Supervisors further directed Public Works to begin the construction of a pilot interim housing project in Los Angeles Chinatown. The housing program team, combining their construction experiences with innovative strategies, leveraging the powers afforded by an emergency proclamation, and streamlined decisions and processes allowed its pilot project, the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village to open in six months, incredibly shaving off several years that it would normally take to build. The success of the project for its quality, low cost, and short construction schedule is becoming a model for emulation throughout the country. The County is planning to replicate the pilot project in other regions to house individuals facing homelessness.