As a lesbian, not only is this a place to live, but as an elder it is also wonderful to hear the wealth of the talent, and our contributions to our various communities.
About GLEH
Our History
2000
GLEH is the outgrowth of a community organization called the Alliance for Diverse Aging Community Services (A-DACS). A-DACS was a community-based group started under the fiscal management of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center (LAGLC) with a $90,000 grant received from the Aging with Dignity Initiative established by Governor Gray Davis in the 2000-01 state budget. The Governor’s initiative included the administration of a grants program for developing alternatives to nursing homes. The one-time startup funds challenged organizations to develop programs which could be sustained and replicated. A-DACS was responsible for addressing the unique needs and challenges of the aging LGBT population by: identifying gaps of services available to LGBT older adults; developing a plan for a full-range of services – including housing – for LGBT elders; and building a collaboration of service providers by conducting “sensitivity trainings” dealing with issues faced by LGBT elders.
2001
With the one-time grant set to expire in spring 2002 – and the LAGLC unable to assist with future funding for A-DACS – GLEH incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization on December 26, 2001, under the name Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Corporation.
The new non-profit was founded with the support of a board of directors comprised of concerned individuals with diverse backgrounds including several prominent real estate professional’s as well as accomplished representatives from the philanthropic, social services and entertainment fields. GLEH was formed to deal with the lack of diverse, supportive living communities for LGBT older adults and others. Those not part of the LGBT community are welcome.
2003
On October 20, 2003 GLEH, Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti and affordable housing developer McCormack Baron Salazar jointly announced plans for a $22 million, 104-unit affordable housing developments to be built on the corner of Selma and Ivar Avenues in Hollywood.
2004
Construction continued. During 2004 the fundraising campaign for the development garnered major supporters such as Anneneberg Foundation, Wells Fargo, Robert Schutrum-Frank Pieto Foundation, Blake Burns, (etc need list of major donors)
2005
The first affordable housing complex in the nation, Triangle Square, broke ground on July 14, 2005. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaragosa, L.A. City Councilman Eric Garcetti, Mercedes Marquez, Ivy Bottini, actors June Lockhart, Hal Spark and Robert Gant and Board Chair Mendes Napoli where all on hand for the triumphant groundbreaking. More than 300 community leaders, government officials, celebrities, LGBT elders and project supporters attended this historical event.
2006
The construction of Triangle Square was well under way in 2006. The first applications and lottery process began for perspective low-income residents to become residents of Triangle Square. GLEH received over 800 applications from prospective tenants.
