If you follow my blog, you may have seen my post a couple of months back about a Low Income Housing development in Los Angeles that we "Staged" at the end of 2008.

Today was the Grand Opening event for Hobart Heights. Hobart is the 3rd low income housing community we did the interior design work for (see projects #1 and #2 here). They are always great projects, due in large part to our wonderful client American Communities. They are a joy to work with, and we look forward to many more projects with them.

Today was the first time I attended one of the Grand Openings, and I was blown away by what I witnessed. For starters, Herb Wesson was there.  Herb is the LA City Councilman representing the 10th District. He was instrumental in advocating for this and other similar developments meant to provide affordable housing for Los Angeles residents so they can live in the same community in which they work. (Just to give you an idea, a 3 bedroom unit in this building rents for between $500-$1000/month, whereas similar apartments in the neighborhood rent for $3500!)

Representatives from the Los Angeles Housing Department and the Community Redevelopment Agency were also on hand to congratulate everyone involved for a job well done. This building was located in a historical neighborhood so there were many "hoops" to jump through in order to get the plans approved. But it was obviously worth the effort. Beautifully designed in an art deco style, with the comfort of the residents in mind, this building has created a new life for the deserving people who live there.

The most touching part of the entire presentation was when a current resident spoke (via a translator) about the way in which living in the building has changed her life.

This woman is the mother of a disabled daughter. For 13 years before moving into Hobart Heights, she had to carry her daughter on her back up to the 5th floor of her old apartment. She was in tears when she spoke about how the simplest things that we take for granted have changed her life. The ramp up to the front of the building and the elevator, as well as the handicap accessible bathroom and kitchen, allow her daughter to be truly self-sufficient for the first time in her life. There wasn't a dry eye in the house after this lovely woman spoke.

With all the doom and gloom in the news, it was wonderful to hear some positive news and to know that there is funding for many more similar developments in the area. Many local politicians are working tirelessly to create affordable housing, as well as job opportunities and open space (parks) for LA's under-served residents. Let's hope they succeed in changing many many more lives.

Oh, and please take a second to vote for me (you can vote once a day!) in the StartUp Nation Leading Moms in Business competition! I appreciate your vote. :)

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Annie Pinsker-Brown | Stage to Sell
Owner & Principal Designer
310-384-1084
www.stagetosell.biz

"We get you to SOLD so you can get on with your life!"

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Stage to Sell is the premier West Los Angeles Home Staging Company.

Owner & Principal Designer Annie Pinsker-Brown is an ASP Home Stager, a member of IAHSP (International Association of Home Staging Professionals), an affiliate member of the Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors and a member of the Culver City and West LA Chambers of Commerce.

Annie has Staged LA homes for Bravo's hit show "Million Dollar Listing" and TLC's "Property Ladder." She has also been featured in recent articles on Home Staging in Los Angeles Magazine, The New York Times, Costco Connection and Frontiers Magazine.

If you would like to see more of our Home Staging work, visit our website. There is an extensive gallery of before & after photos, as well as a list of our Staged properties currently on the market.