Los Angeles center provides interim housing for up to 40 families transitioning out of homelessness

The Whole Child, a nonprofit that provides housing, mental health, and other services to vulnerable families in Los Angeles County, has opened Safe Families Interim Housing and Support Services Center, a transitional housing development located in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Designed by SVA Architects, the project provides 19 units for up to 40 families transitioning out of homelessness. With a project budget just under $19.4 million, the building’s units include full kitchens, furnishings, appliances, housewares, and televisions.

Blending indoor and outdoor spaces, the center features floorplans that support cohabitation. The design creates a sense of community by allowing multiple families to share amenity spaces comfortably, while also ensuring privacy and flexibility.

The building’s first floor offers shared amenities for residents, in addition to supportive services for hundreds of The Whole Child’s clients. The amenities include a computer lab, laundry facilities, food pantry, playground and courtyard, treatment rooms for mental health services, and spaces for parenting and nutrition workshops.

Safe Families Interim Housing and Support Services Center is part of a trio of housing communities on a five-acre campus that supports the transition from homelessness to homeownership. In addition to The Whole Child’s interim transitional housing, the campus includes 101 affordable apartments by The Richman Group and for-sale townhomes to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles.

“Solving an immediate need for housing and services, and with permanent housing solutions just steps away, this center is a beacon of hope for struggling families,” Ernesto M. Vasquez, partner and CEO, SVA Architects, said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be a part of a project that will help families regain independence and give children a brighter future.”

The development’s funding partners include Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, the State of California, the City of Santa Fe Springs, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Bezos Day One Fund, and Golden Rule Community Development Corporation, among others. Development partners include SVA Architects, Dreyfuss Construction, and C&V Consulting.

Founded in 1957, The Whole Child serves over 11,000 individuals annually.

On the project team: TWC Housing LLC (owner), SVA Architects (design architect and architect of record), Goss Engineering (MEP engineer), Borm Structural Engineers (structural engineer), Woodhart LLC (construction manager), Dreyfuss Construction (general contractor).