Hollywood Apartment Fire Shelter Residents
Donation protected
Update:
Please note that this GoFundMe was created with a specific and urgent need in mind. At the time I created it there were four senior residents who did not yet have places to go only two days before the shelter’s closing. However, your donations and other resources have helped so much!
And I encourage you to consider donating to other residents who also lost so very much, but whose demographics were not represented by this group, or whose needs extend beyond the focus of this GoFundMe.
Nikki
Eric
Kent
Carrie
Kamyar
.
Dear Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Community Members,
We hope this message finds you well. A week ago our apartment building was engulfed in flames, leaving the entire structure destroyed and unsafe to enter. This has been an incredibly challenging situation, and we would greatly appreciate any assistance you can offer as we work to regain safe housing and stability. Specifically, we are primarily seeking support for those still living and dependent on the shelter.
The Incident
On 7/12, in the late afternoon, a fire started in the building’s carport. The fire quickly spread to two of the three apartment buildings in the complex. Unfortunately, our buildings suffered irreparable damage and have been unsafe to enter since. While some belongings were spared from the fire, almost everything has been destroyed by smoke and water. Additionally, the property management company and owner refused to secure the building, meaning that all residents have now experienced significant looting and further damage. We are now faced with the task of rebuilding our lives from scratch.
Emergency Housing Challenge
To compound difficulties, Andrew, Kent, Carrie, and Elizabeth E. have needed to stay at a Red Cross shelter since the fire, (and many other residents are staying in their cars or difficult situations and are relying on the shelter as well) but we were informed Monday night that the shelter is supposed to shut down Thursday or Friday. This is not a criticism of the Red Cross, they are an emergency assistance resource, and they housed us during our emergency! However, I think many people, including us, did not initially realize that their primary focus is the acute stage of an emergency, which is generally considered a week or so post-disaster. And while people’s temporary stay there has provided some respite, finding emergency housing has become an urgent priority for us. We have called 211, LHASA, and so many other resources, but unfortunately we cannot seem to connect with the right resources that will move fast enough for those in urgent need. Regrettably, the owners of the building have made themselves frequently unavailable for comment or adequately urgent assistance.
The Path to Recovery
As we navigate this complex situation, our immediate focus is securing emergency housing for our group. We are actively seeking any resources, connections, or assistance that can help us find a safe place to stay. Financial support remains crucial to cover the costs of securing basic necessities, replacing essential items, and acquiring new housing.
How You Can Help
Your contributions, regardless of size, will have a direct impact on people’s ability to rebuild and find stable housing. Here are a few ways you can assist:
Financial Assistance: Your donations will go towards securing emergency housing and covering the costs associated with it. Additionally, financial support will help people replace essential items lost in the fire and provide a sense of stability during this challenging time.
Housing Connections: If you have any leads, resources, or connections to emergency housing options and related financial assistance programs in the area, we would be incredibly grateful for your assistance. Finding people safe places to stay is our top priority, and any help in this regard would be immensely valuable.
Donations: We are still missing many resources that are particularly critical for those in the shelter. If you have any clothes you would like to donate, especially Women’s L-XXL items, Men’s clothes of any kind, especially Medium shirts and button-ups and 32x30 or 32x32 pants, as well as men’s XXXL options. Shoes and reading glasses are also needed. If you have any shoes, especially in women’s sizes 5 and 8.5 please reach out. Additionally, please contact us if you have suitcases, especially those that roll, to help people carry their belongings out of the shelter.
Spreading the Word: By sharing our story within your social circle, you can help raise awareness about our situation. This increased visibility may lead to valuable connections with individuals who can provide support, whether it be housing solutions, legal guidance, or relevant social services.
Emotional Support: We are immensely grateful for the kind messages and support we have already received from our loved ones. Your continued encouragement and understanding during this challenging period are incredibly meaningful. Additionally it is so important for everyone, especially those living at the shelter, to maintain normal social connections and interactions. If you are personally connected and would like to visit in the next few days, please reach out to me or whoever you’re connected to so we can get you permission to visit!
Closing Words
We would all like to express our deepest gratitude for the support and assistance we have received thus far. Rebuilding our lives and finding stable housing will undoubtedly be a difficult journey, but with the support of our community, we can overcome these challenges. Your contributions, be they financial, connections, or emotional support, will make an incredible difference.
Thank you for taking the time to read our message and for considering how you can support us during this critical time.
Organizer
Elizabeth Champion
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA