2006 Housing Developer of the Year
2006 Case Management Organization of the Year

Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing Corporation

SRO Housing Corporation is a non-profit, community-based organization, which is dedicated to building a healthy community for homeless and very low-income individuals in the Central City East Community of downtown Los Angeles, more commonly known as “Skid Row”. SRO Housing’s vision of a thriving urban community of hope and opportunity extends to all aspects of its work. SRO is committed to restoring a sense of dignity, civility, and respect to a population that has been habitually ignored and forgotten.

In order to make the most significant impact on the neighborhood, SRO strategically clusters its properties. SRO Housing places much emphasis on preserving the housing stock that is viewed as housing of the last resort for low-income individuals. It provides a full continuum of housing (emergency, transitional, and permanent) in conjunction with a wide array of supportive services including food services, case management, information and referrals, transportation, community events, and more. As a result, SRO has done more than just develop hundreds of units of affordable housing. Against all odds, it has developed a safe and thriving community in the most impoverished area in the Western United States.

The most recent example of SRO’s commitment to the community was the rehabilitation of the Yankee Hotel. The refurbishing of this hotel sought to dispel the negative images and connotations that are generally associated with Skid Row living and has redefined the image of single room occupancy housing. Situated in the heart of Skid Row, on the corner of 7th and San Julian Streets, this once depilated, burned-out cocktail lounge is now home to 80 formerly homeless and low-income individuals. It is a beacon of light and hope in the midst of turmoil and despair. In 2005, the Yankee Hotel was the winner of The Downtown Breakfast Club Rose Award and the Los Angeles Fashion and Business District Business Improvement Award.

Every week, SRO Housing serves nearly 4,000 meals in its emergency shelter and senior meals program as well as delivering over 8,000 pounds of food and fresh produce to all permanent-housing sites. This critical service assists very low-income individuals, who are attempting to sustain on a fixed income, in getting nutritious foods that would otherwise be eliminated from their diets. In addition, SRO Housing provides its residents with a way to regain basic living skills through classes in cooking, laundry, and money management which help residents to rebuild and remain in a normative living situation.

As a part of SRO Housing’s mission to improve the Central City East Community, it has created several opportunities for community members to have social encounters by managing two public parks (San Julian Park and Gladys Park) as well as operating the James Wood Community Center. These spaces provide a safe, clean, public area where community members can gather in their own neighborhood.

With over 20 years of experience, SRO Housing Corporation has a unique insight into the needs of the community it serves. SRO’s diverse and multi-cultural staff are made up of formerly homeless individuals, residents, and community members whose history and life experiences are a source of inspiration. SRO Housing works diligently to continually meet and grow with the need of the community it serves, year after year.

SRO Housing Corporation is much more than a housing developer, it is a Community Builder.