January 1, 1970

Temporary Homeless Shelter Opens in Formerly Vacant County Building in San Pedro

San Pedro, CA— Today, a new 40-bed shelter with 24/7 security, on-site showers, laundry, healthcare specialists, and casework services opened in a formerly vacant Los Angeles County Public Health Clinic in San Pedro.  Because the shelter was created out of an existing County facility, the project was able to be completed just 6 weeks after it was first approved by the Board of Supervisors in mid-January.  The shelter is now being run and operated by non-profit service provider, Harbor Interfaith.

“We took a vacant County building and turned it into a temporary shelter in 6 weeks,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Now we are handing the reigns over to Harbor Interfaith. They now have 40 beds to use to bring people indoors, get them the services and support they need, and help them to begin to turn their lives around.”

Harbor Interfaith has designated 25 of the beds for women and 15 for men – a ratio they determined based on their outreach efforts in the area. Each resident will have a locker with a combination next to their bed, two plastic bins for their belongings underneath their bed, and a two-gallon bin located in a storage area outside of the facility for extra belongings.

Incoming residents will receive on-site case management, mental health services, and will work with a housing coordinator to find long-term housing. The Harbor Community Health Clinic located in the same building as the shelter will provide residents with health assessments. Three meals a day will be provided by Beacon House. Three community rooms with TVs, books donated from the LA County Library, and games will allow residents to stay at the facility during the day. Residents will be allowed to stay at the shelter until they are matched with permanent housing.

Residents will be able to use mobile shower units and clean their clothes using on-site laundry. Pets are allowed the parking lot will have an enclosed dog-run for residents with pets. Residents will also be able to keep their pets in a kennel at the foot of their bed. A local nonprofit organization, Pedro Pet Pals, is providing kennels and dog food.

The facility, located at 122 W 8th street, will operate as a shelter for three years while both the County and City of Los Angeles work on long-term plans to develop the site into housing.  The facility was run as a Los Angeles County Public Health Clinic until it was vacated in 2019.  The County set aside $300,000 to refurbish the building for the shelter. Ongoing operations costs are estimated at $1.1 million per year.  

Harbor Interfaith is accepting donations for shelter residents including new white t-shirts, grey sweats, and cotton socks, toiletries, and laundry detergent.  Donations can be dropped off at the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce located at 390 W 7th St between 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. 

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