Housing Complex In MacArthur Park Opens For Homeless Veterans, The Disabled

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A grand opening was held Thursday for an apartment complex in MacArthur Park that houses homeless veterans and the disabled.

The 52-unit building at 811 South Carondelet Street is called The Six, inspired by an old military expression of "got your six," which means "I've got your back."

It features solar panels and on-site support services catering to the tenants' health and wellness, according to the developer of Skid Row Housing Trust.

"The light that comes into the interior building works to mitigate the effects of PTSD, which most homeless people experience at some point," Trust CEO Mike Alvidrez said.

"Our building uses extremely low amounts of energy on both electricity and gas. And it uses very little water," said the trust's chief real estate officer Dana Trujillo.

"Los Angeles has the highest number of homeless veterans in the nation. The trust provides high-quality homes for people experiencing homelessness and we are compelled and honored to help those who have bravely served our country by offering veterans a home at The Six," she added.

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, Robert Jones has a place he calls home and is able to cook for himself. "I was living on the streets 20 years due to the fact that I was a drug addict. Fell on hard times, sleeping from pillar to post."

The Six is the trust's first housing development built outside of the Skid Row area. The trust operates 24 other buildings with nearly 1,800 units for the homeless.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, state Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon and U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra were on hand for the grand opening ceremonies.