Affordable Housing Complex for Seniors Opens on Klump Ave. [Video]

A new 49-unit affordable housing complex at 5525 Klump Ave. is now fully occupied by seniors, including some elderly tenants who've coped with homelessness and mental illness.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday for the NoHo Senior Villas, located about a block away from North Hollywood's Metro Red Line Station.

The $17 million project, which took about a year-and-a-half to build, was a joint effort between nonprofits Jefferson Beers Housing and PATH Ventures.

PATH Ventures Executive Director John Molloy addressed a crowd of about 50 people to thank his team of employees, city officials and construction workers.

"[Homeless] shelters just aren't enough, you have to get people into long term housing and that's what this project is all about," he said, adding: "I just love the thought of people being changed by what we do."

The development was chiefly funded by corporate tax credits as well as contributions from the LA County Department of Mental Health and the city of Los Angeles, Molloy said.

LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian was also on hand and said despite the gloomy weather, it's always a beautiful day when an affordable housing project opens.

"This is not just an acceptable kind of project that passes muster with a community, this is the kind of project that can transform a whole neighborhood, a whole community," he said.

While all NoHo Senior Villa Units are meant for tenants that are at least 55, 30 of the 400- to 500-square-foot units are set aside for those who have been homeless or diagnosed with a mental illness.

One of those tenants is Deborrah Rogers, 60, who's battled with homelessness since 2001 and suffers from bipolar disorder.

She said at the ribbon cutting event that her new home is helping to turn her life around.

"My journey of becoming a productive member of society once again led me here," she said. "I am determined to prove myself worthy of such a phenomenal gift."