West Hollywood : Homeless Center Gets Grant

The city has been awarded a $200,000 federal grant to help create its planned $1.2-million comprehensive center for the homeless, city officials said.

The grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be applied to the estimated $600,000 cost of renovating a warehouse at 1033 La Brea Ave. for the proposed 70-bed facility, officials said.

City officials have said it will cost $500,000 a year to operate the shelter, in addition to $119,000 a year to lease the warehouse space.

The center is to be operated by a nonprofit corporation whose board is expected to be appointed by the City Council in the next two months. City officials have said they hope the center can be opened next year.

A group of residents and merchants on the city’s east side, where the center is to be located, have opposed the shelter. They say West Hollywood may be taking on more than it can handle if the shelter attracts homeless people from surrounding areas.