Approximately half of former foster youth encounter homelessness or chronic unemployment within two years of leaving care. And in Los Angeles County alone, roughly 1,400 to 1,500 youth are emancipated from the foster care system each year.

 
When The Palace in Long Beach is renovated, it will be home to 13 of these at-risk 18- to 24- year olds. In partnership with United Friends of the Children (UFC), LINC will convert the historic hotel, built in 1929, into 13 studio apartments, a manager’s unit, common areas and offices to help provide services to the residents. There will also be retail space on the first floor that LINC hopes will employ some of the residents.

 
Polly Williams, president of UFC, stresses how important this type of housing is for these young adults. “What we are really giving young people is a chance to live in a stable environment and have a family experience to prepare them to go out on their own,” she shared. “It’s through a long-term, stable relationship with an adult who cares, that foster youth can overcome the barriers and experiences they faced to go on for independent living.”

Residents at The Palace will be required to work and pay rent, in addition to attending weekly life-skills classes as well as regular meetings with their advocacy counselors. With a building lifespan of more than 50 years, The Palace will be a safe and stable home to hundreds of disadvantaged foster youth.

The renovation will include a variety of sustainability features including Energy Star appliances, recycled materials, a high efficiency HVAC system, and dual-flush toilets. Photovoltaic and fuel cell technology will also be incorporated to help reduce the amount of electricity needed from the electric company. The Palace Hotel is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.

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