Press Releases: 2003 Releases

United Cerebral Palsy Wins Prestigious Non-Profit Housing Award

500-Member, Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing Honors UCP with
2003 "Project of the Year Award"

Los Angeles, CA, October 7, 2003 – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) announced today that it won the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing Award (SCANPH) for 2003 "Project of the Year." SCANPH is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the development, preservation and management of permanently affordable housing for low-income people. UCP won the award for its just-completed housing project located in Santa Monica, California. UCP and their development team of architects, historical preservationists, consulting staff, contractors, and many more, spent nearly nine years developing, preserving and transforming this one of a kind building into an affordable home for individuals who only dreamed of independent life in the community.

In 1995, UCP was awarded a $1.5 million HUD 811 grant to develop the 13-unit affordable apartment complex for individuals with severe disabilities. An additional $3 million was raised through public/private partnership between UCP and the City of Santa Monica, and a generous philanthropic community. Those funds, combined with HUD’s, transformed the defunct county medical center—and the oldest existing government building in Santa Monica—into a beautiful and fully accessible, affordable apartment complex. The $4.5 million dollar project includes units outfitted with roll-in showers and tilt mirrors, as well as infrared door openers for tenants unable to grasp a key. Pull cord call systems will alert the onsite manager to any emergency. Along with the accessibility features of the building, UCP’s Independent Living Division will supply the support services where needed.

"Thanks to nine years of dedication from the team who worked on this project, more people living with disabilities in Southern California can live independently today," said Ron Cohen, Executive Director of UCP of Los Angeles. "Living independently is a crucial stepping stone for people with disabilities, as they realize that it is possible to live life just like any other American. UCP believes all people living with a disability deserve to feel that sense of dignity and pride and we will continue to look for housing opportunities throughout Southern California so that everyone has the chance to live in an affordable and accommodating setting."

Adequate housing is a major issue for many Americans. Finding a place to live that meets one's needs, is in a suitable location and is affordable are problems for everyone. But people with disabilities face additional problems including accessibility and discrimination, which is why housing is one of UCP’s top priorities. Without these units, individuals with severe disabilities could not afford to live in their home communities with their family, friends and support system. UCP of Los Angeles has built and developed 31 homes and apartments for individuals with disabilities. The leadership of UCP has also testified before the United States Congress on the subject of living in the community outside of institutional walls. UCP has been a founding member of the California Affordable Housing Institute and the California Affordable Housing Coalition for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

Currently UCP is developing two other projects which are in the 3rd and 4th years of development. A HUD 811 18-unit apartment complex is planned in Burbank and a 10-unit HUD 811 apartment is scheduled to break ground within the next month in Stanton.

About UCP
UCP’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. UCP is a leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is an advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers and providers of essential programs and services.

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