Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn inaugurated Laurel Grove, a new permanent housing complex in west Whittier, on Friday. The complex, located on Pioneer Boulevard, was once a Motel 6 and has been transformed into a housing facility through the efforts of nonprofit developer Holos Communities under California’s Homekey program. This initiative funds rapid housing solutions for the unhoused.
The complex provides 97 units, offering a new home to individuals like Angela Fredsell, who was previously homeless. Fredsell, 62, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to live in a stable environment, saying, “That’s where I would be if not for this,” pointing across the 605 freeway. The opening of Laurel Grove was celebrated by local community members, including students from Pioneer High School, who contributed welcome baskets and artwork for the residents.
Supervisor Hahn praised the project, stating, “For years it was a run-down Motel 6, and it wasn’t always the best neighbor… Laurel Grove is proof of what we can do when we come together with urgency, compassion, creativity.” The transformation was completed in two years and is part of a broader effort to convert properties into housing more quickly and cost-effectively than new constructions.
The project was supported by various community leaders, including Irma Moisa, board vice president for the Whittier Union High School District, who noted the positive impact on the community. The complex features amenities such as a pocket park, raised bed gardens, and dog parks, aiming to provide a holistic living environment.
Sarah Mahin, director of Los Angeles County’s Department of Homeless Services and Housing, highlighted the collaboration between government and nonprofits, which has led to the conversion of 32 properties into 2,100 housing units across the county. Laurel Grove will also offer on-site case management services to assist residents with various needs.
Fredsell, who pays $433 a month from her social security benefits for rent, hopes to enroll at Rio Hondo College to study nutrition. She and her neighbors are building a supportive community, demonstrating the potential for successful transitions from homelessness to stable living.
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