San Pedro Home for the Homeless Gets New Home

For the first time since it opened in 1983, a San Pedro shelter for homeless families has a permanent home.

But Harbor Interfaith Shelter’s recent move to another apartment building will temporarily limit the number of units the nonprofit agency can provide, said David Christiansen, executive director of the agency.

“Obviously, we think we made the right decision,” Christiansen said. “But it will create a short-term shortage of units.”

The homeless-family shelter, one of only two in the Harbor area, previously provided 16 units in an apartment building at 2040 S. Pacific Ave. in San Pedro. The location was considered for purchase by Harbor Interfaith as far back as two years ago, when the agency began its search for a permanent facility.

But negotiations ended unsuccessfully early this year because the building’s owner wanted $1.1 million for the property--a price the agency’s board of directors refused to pay.

Resuming its search, Harbor Interfaith bought a 21-unit building for $85,000, also in San Pedro. But it will not immediately provide as many apartments for homeless families because most of its units are rented or leased, Christiansen said.

The location of the new building is being kept confidential, Christiansen said, to respect the privacy of its tenants.

Since moving there last month, he said, the agency has taken over five vacant units in the new building and continues to lease another five at its previous location.

The shortfall could last from six to 12 months, Christiansen said, depending on how soon apartments are voluntarily vacated by tenants in the new building.

Christiansen said the move did not result in a sudden loss of shelter for any homeless families. “We timed it so those in the old building would move out of units by Sept. 1, when we moved to the new building,” he said.

The agency, which offers free lodging of up to 60 days for homeless families, last year served 196 families, who averaged 45 days at the old shelter. This year, Christiansen said, Harbor Interfaith expects to serve slightly fewer families because of the move.

In the long run, however, Christiansen said, the agency is pleased with the purchase of its own building, figuring it will provide more stability and eventually more services for homeless families in the area.

“We are strapped right now, but we’re looking forward to the future,” he said.