The largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles faces financial collapse.
Operating 2,500 units, SRO Housing Corporation warned leaders that public funds are exhausting.
Chief Executive Officer Anita Nelson criticized the slow government response to the emergency.
Emphasizing the immediate danger confronting the housing provider, Nelson warned of failure.
“The handwriting is on the wall,” Nelson said.
The failure of the nonprofit threatens thousands of residents while creating political challenges.
More than 73,000 individuals experience homelessness in Los Angeles County.
The crisis follows the 2023 collapse of Skid Row Housing Trust, which cost $30 million.
An internal memo projected roughly six months of solvency.
Nelson clarified that she communicated the crisis without setting a six-month deadline.
Expressing frustration over administrative delays, Nelson criticized official indifference.
“They’re not feeling our sense of urgency,” Nelson said.
Insisting on the immediate threat, Nelson urged rapid intervention.
“The sense of urgency for me is real,” Nelson said.
Public filings show a cumulative deficit of $27.8 million since 2022, with liabilities exceeding assets by $70 million.
Department spokesperson Sharon Sandow said officials remain focused on preservation strategies.
Defending the internal account of recent meetings, Sandow addressed public inquiry.
“The memo speaks for itself,” Sandow said.
Aging plumbing, heating, and electrical systems require expensive repairs.
Long-time tenant Amanda Spiva described deteriorating living conditions.
Detailing safety risks, Spiva recounted dangerous encounters in hallways.
“For people who live here and call it home, we don’t want to see people with machetes in the elevators, people who might stab you,” Spiva said.
Highlighting the desire for safety, Spiva appealed for improved conditions.
“We want to feel safe and have pride of place,” Spiva said.