A group known as “Reclaiming Our Homes” is pushing California to sell them the vacant homes near the 710 freeway.
The homes were originally purchased by the state for a 710 freeway expansion that never came to fruition. Fanny Guzman, a member of the El Sereno Community Land Trust, told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian that people are worried about being displaced from their homes.
“The first priority to be able to buy the homes, to secure permanent housing for the reclaimers and their families,” Guzman said. “And from Caltrans and HACLA to agree on permanent housing solution and not evict reclaimers.”
There are about a dozen people who moved back into their abandoned homes in 2020, calling themselves “reclaimers.”s.”
“People are still housed, the threat is there, very real,” she said. “All the reclaimers were homeless. Some of them were homeless in the streets for over 17 years, and the majority of the reclaimers are from El Sereno.”
Caltrans awarded 37 homes along the 710 corridor to nonprofit organizations earlier this year to increase affordable housing. Tavidian reports that Caltrans is expected to send sales contracts to winning bidders and transfer those properties early next year.