GRANT HOUSING and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Grant Housing and Economic Development Corporation (GHEDC) was formed with the intent to initiate and inspire economic development in the underserved area of the Watts community.

GHEDC is committed to develop itself into a model of community economic development and empowerment through knowledge. It is through this avenue that we actively participate in the revitalization of the area including the development of support persons who are residents. This is to be an ongoing objective through three concentrated areas: education, affordable housing and economic development:

The ACTS Program - "Education Plus"
Grant Housing and Economic Development Corporation (GHEDC) impacts the South Central community youth by providing "Education Plus", an After-school Community Training Services (ACTS) Program. The program is designed to provide hours of instruction, tutorial assistance, counseling and study time for students during the critical hours of 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Each student spends hours in instruction and tutorial support in computer literacy training, reading comprehension, mathematic literacy and essay writing assignments. Each student also takes part in recreational and cultural activities; attend personal development workshops and other events improving the overall literacy of each student. In addition to the educational instruction offered in this program, students are given counseling in conflict resolution and management as well as the opportunity to develop positive relationships through mentoring.

Grant Housing - Senior
GHEDC is in the pre-development phase of the construction of the Grant Senior Housing Project. This project will consist of a 70-100-unit state of the art senior housing complex. It will be the first of its kind in this area. Not only will it contain spacious living quarters for seniors, but also banquet facilities, community rooms, gardens and other plush amenities for the comfort an enjoyment of the area seniors. In addition to the interior attractions, this facility will be an architectural beacon for the entire City. The estimated capital expense for this project is three (3) million dollars.

Grant Housing - Multi-Family
In addition to the Senior Housing Project, GHEDC is in the planning and pre-development phase of a major multi family housing project. The site is projected to provide an additional 110 2-3-bedroom units to the Watts area. This is another endeavor that will not only feature luxurious interior design, but also dynamic exterior opulence. The estimated capital expense for this project is twenty (20) million dollars.

The "Imani-Fe Courtyard"
The Imani Fe (faith) Courtyard is the development of a mixed-use commercial/retail project that includes a new retail center and office building on a 2.4-acre site in one of the City's highest unemployment and poverty areas. The City of Los Angeles is participating with GHEDC in production of this endeavor. The Imani Fe Courtyard will require a projected capital investment of approximately 10 million dollars, of which 3 million dollars has already been committed. The project will include a 10,000 sq ft dine in restaurant, a 25,000 sq. ft. office building, an 8,000 sq. ft. bank and 7,000 sq. ft. of retail use. This project will generate approximately 150 new jobs. In addition to employment generation, this project will help to initiate the economic revitalization of the Central Corridor. It is the purpose of GHEDC to continue to provide strong leadership of this type in the Watts community.