Residents of a L.A. County Housing Authority building at 848 West Knoll Dr. who were displaced on Sept. 15 because of a rainstorm are likely to be returned to their homes by mid-November.
The 135-unit West Knoll Senior Public Housing Development was evacuated on because of damage caused by a record rainfall in Los Angeles. That evacuation followed an earlier one that occurred in July that was caused by an out of season rainstorm. Residents were allowed to return to their homes the first week of September after repairs to water-damaged units were completed and a temporary roof was installed.
The Housing Authority was in the process of installing a new permanent roof with solar panels when the last week’s rainstorms occurred. In a press release the Housing Authority said that the contractor did not properly secure an exposed section of the roof, which resulted in water leakage and building damage.
After the July rainstorm, the Housing Authority had hired a new contractor to install a temporary roof to protect against any further rain damage. The temporary roof, which was designed to last 90 days, functioned as expected during the following days of rain, but failed during the Sept. 15 rainstorm, the Housing Authority said. The authority said it had had conversations with the contractor prior to the Sept. 15 storm and received assurances that the temporary roof would be sufficient to protect the building against the storm that was forecasted.
Because of the floods, the Housing Authority now is focused on immediately installing a new water tight roof and will forgo the solar panel project. Crews worked through the weekend to ensure the completion of the first phase of a new roof, to include a water tight membrane that will guard against any pending rainstorms. Over the next few days, Housing Authority will continue with the next phase of the roofing project to include the installation of a layer of foam panels that will provide a thermal insulation layer and reduce energy costs. Finally, an additional waterproof coating will be applied and the new roof will have a 20-year life expectancy.
“This is a very unfortunate situation, and it is regrettable that West Knoll residents were evacuated twice,” said Housing Authority Executive Director Sean Rogan. “We take our role as a public housing agency seriously and place the safety of our residents above all else. Now that the roof has been properly secured, our top priority is to get our residents back in their units as soon as possible.”
In the interim, residents have been offered a choice of housing options, including a hotel room, with meals and services provided; a stipend to stay with relatives, and, in limited cases, an assisted living facility to meet and care for specific needs. Housing Authority staff is on site at the Marriott hotel in Burbank to provide assistance and coordinate activities.
residence where displaced because of Incompetence and indifference
Residents were NOT displaced because of a “rainstorm.” They were displaced due to NEGLIGENCE.
Alison, at the time of the debacle, Weho’s hotels were already booked for the Emmy’s, The Staff did try to get into more local hotels. The Marriott Resort and Spa is large enough to handle large blocks of rooms AND provide meals on such short notice. The Staff at the Marriott have been exceptional and kind to this vulnerable population. Disco Dan, sadly, no one has been fired though it is my understanding that Shelia Keuhl’s is checking into it!
Fine7760, I believe that is where they are offering hotel rooms to those that are displaced. You don’t think the Housing Authority would house the displaced in one of WeHo’s nice hotels, did you?
Am I wrong but it seems to me there must be a hotel closer than the Marriott in Burbank to hold meetings at for those effected by the storm and damage to the units on West Knoll.
Who’s been fired due to this debacle ? !