Local News in Brief : Homeless Center Planned

West Hollywood officials have agreed to lease and renovate 18,000 square feet of a warehouse for use as a $1-million center for the homeless.

Officials plan to establish a nonprofit corporation to operate the 70-bed facility, which is to include an emergency shelter, a drop-in center, food program and counseling services.

The agreement, which must be approved by the West Hollywood City Council, calls for a 10-year lease at $119,000 a year for the second floor of a furniture warehouse at 1033 La Brea Ave. on the city’s east side.

Officials estimate that it will cost $600,000 to renovate the warehouse and $500,000 annually to operate the center. The city hopes to get up to $525,000 from federal, state and county agencies to help pay for the renovation.

“If everything were to happen just right . . . we think we’re talking about opening the facility in another 10 months or so,” said Mark Winogrond, director of the city’s Department of Community Development.