YWCA to House 10 Low-Income Women

A new shelter for 10 single, low-income women will open late this month at the YWCA, marking the first time in more than 30 years that the association has allowed the needy to live in its building at Pomona and Whiting avenues.

“It’s been a long process, and finally it’s going to happen, and we are so excited,” YWCA Executive Director Beverly Glen said.

Workers are now making curtains and painting the bedrooms, and the rooms should be ready for their new occupants by the end of March, Glen said.

The YWCA decided to convert the building to living quarters in 1992 because of the high demand for housing.

“We were getting so many calls from single women who were just earning such low incomes that they couldn’t really afford the sometimes pricey rents we have here in Orange County,” Glen said.

The YWCA remodeled its two-story colonial building with a $35,000 community development grant from the city. YWCA members donated kitchenware, and IKEA donated $3,000 in furniture, Glen said.

The women will live paired in three bedrooms with large windows, hardwood floors and walk-in closets. A smaller cottage behind the YWCA building will also house four women in two bedrooms.

All the women will share a kitchen, where they will pool their resources and buy food through a cooperative, Glen said.

The association has already interviewed 36 women for the 10 spots and will continue to talk with anyone who is interested in living in the house.

“If we can’t take the women here, we’d like to help them get somewhere else,” Glen said.

In order to qualify, a woman must be single, employed or able to work, and earn about $12,000 per year, she said.

Residents can stay at the YWCA for six to 18 months and will receive job training, lessons in personal finance and health and fitness, Glen said.

Those interested in applying should call (714) 871-4488 or go to the YWCA, at 321 N. Pomona Ave., during business hours.