Addressing Homelessness Through Redevelopment: Aspen Plays Role in Adding Supportive Housing in Los Angeles

Aspen Environmental Group managed the CEQA analysis for the proposed redevelopment of existing buildings on the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk, California. The redevelopment seeks to provide Adult Interim Housing, Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Interim Housing, TAY Psychiatric Subacute Facilities, and Permanent Supportive Housing.

With approximately 69,144 individuals experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County at any given time, this project represents a significant step toward addressing this crisis. When completed, it will serve up to 288 unhoused youth and adults, offering tailored support that considers age-specific and mental health needs. The initiative aims to create a pathway for these individuals to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into the community.

The Metropolitan State Hospital has a rich history, serving as a hospital and mental health facility since the 1920s. The project site is located within a designated Historic District, which posed unique challenges in balancing redevelopment with the preservation of historical resources. Aspen played a critical role in navigating these complexities, managing technical analyses such as a Historic Built Environment Assessment and preparing a CEQA Categorical Exemption Memorandum. These efforts ensured that potential impacts on historical resources were thoroughly evaluated and mitigated. In October 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the project. It is now under review by the California Department of State Hospitals, marking a major milestone in its development.