San Fernando Valley : Habitat Group May Soon Be Homeless

In something of a role reversal, Habitat for Humanity--the ecumenical group that builds houses for low-income families--may soon be homeless, unless it finds a roommate.

The San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys branch of the nonprofit organization has occupied a red brick warehouse in North Hollywood for the past 15 months under a partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Habitat office manager Hannah Almstead said.

Under the agreement, the committee rented the warehouse to house earthquake relief supplies and Habitat for Humanity was the caretaker, covering utilities and security. But no more.

The committee no longer provides earthquake relief. The landlord--who offered the groups a discount to begin with--cannot cut the rent further.

Eviction is unlikely, but donations are down and the group cannot make the $4,500 monthly rent.

“It’s ironic that we are the ones here to provide the service of making homes available to low-income families . . . and yet, here we are searching for a home, so to speak,” said Helena Delu, Habitat’s earthquake recovery program manager.