Center for Mothers Opposed

A proposed housing center for poverty-stricken, substance-abusing women with young children has met strong opposition from homeowners in the area.

People in Progress, a city-funded organization that runs rehabilitation centers throughout the county, wants to open the center at the site of an abandoned building on Laurel Canyon Boulevard between Saticoy Street and Sherman Way.

Several groups of homeowners are fighting the project. Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs, who initially liked the idea, says he won’t give final approval unless residents agree.

“The councilman has no problem if People in Progress want to present their case and, if the community agrees, he’ll support it,” said Arline DeSanctis, chief deputy to Wachs.

But that seems unlikely, according to leaders of several homeowners groups. In a last-ditch effort, People in Progress will meet with homeowners at one of its men’s facilities at 7 tonight. The center is at 8140 Sunland Blvd., Sun Valley.

“It’s not going to happen,” said Philip Manson, president of the Briar Cliffe North Patio Homes Assn., who plans to attend the meeting. “We’re not going to change our minds.”