A place to call home with Yellowsack
Yellowsack prides itself not only in doing an excellent job for its customers but also in working with projects that serve the wider community. Working closely with other local businesses, we are proud to contribute towards causes like the fight against California's housing crisis. Because we are not just here to remove your waste, we see ourselves as ambassadors for the good of the environment and our neighbors.
“Lack of affordable housing extends way past acute cases of homelessness, stretching to middle-income families and people like nursing aides, social workers, and teachers.”
Housing goals
By the end of October 2021, the L.A. Housing Element (a state-mandated plan) must unveil its intentions for solving L.A.s affordable housing requirements for the next eight years. The latest report will set out goals for increased housing in high opportunity communities and increased investment in low-income areas with planned affordable housing. The Housing Element's new plan will hopefully help reduce segregation and discrimination and provide more opportunities to different communities in the region that offer more employment prospects, schooling, and better transport facilities.
Reducing homelessness
Between 1970 and 1980 alone, the price of average homes in West Los Angeles increased by six times LA Times reports in mind, it's easy to see how the lack of affordable housing extends way past acute cases of homelessness, stretching to middle-income families and people like nursing aides, social workers, and teachers. Often people in these professions struggle to find housing near their work establishments, forcing them to commute long distances each day. The New Yorker states, "today, Los Angeles is unaffordable for almost half of middle-income renters and nearly all those who are poor." That's an unacceptable figure, one that we at Yellowsack would like to help reduce.
Making a difference with United Dwellings
In 2017 a state law lifted restrictions on extra buildings entitled 'accessory dwellings units' or A.D.U.s, decreeing that additional buildings on plots of land such as old garages could be converted into habitable spaces to live. This change in the law is where companies like United Dwellings saw an opportunity to make a difference. Steven Dietz, a former venture capitalist and the company's co-founder saw the business model as a way to combat California's most significant challenge.
United Dwellings re-imagines the traditional 'granny flat' model by providing low-cost living in beautiful, sustainably designed spaces, ergonomically designed to maximize space. The model works by utilizing the homeowner's excess land for plots. By building their studio, one or two-bedroom houses on homeowners' unused land, United Dwellings provides additional income to the landowners and offers spaces to renters who may otherwise not be able to afford homes in those areas.
U.D. covers the cost of construction and rents the land where it stands, offering other services such as:
Free home consultation and inspection
All-inclusive, guaranteed low price
Site prep and installation
Multiple finance partner options
Transparent timelines and work done in months
Design elements, fixtures, appliances all included
Superior property management and maintenance
Not only that, but the company uses a non-profit organization called Chrysalis to build its units. Chrysalis helps low-income workers to find employment to aid them in regaining independence and "economic self-sufficiency." So not only is this non-profit solving the housing crisis, but they are helping people become prospective renters and perhaps oneday, homeowners too. The lots are carefully considered so that the homes are close to transport links and it is estimated that there are approximately 800,000 homes in Los Angeles County alone that could fit the A.D.U. standard. That's a lot more people happily earning extra money through rent and a lot of people who are finally able to find a space to call their own.
“I have done a lot of research on how to develop the company further, including research on how to handle debris and dirt. At first we tried to solve it ourselves, but it took a lot of time. One day Yellowsack appeared on my Instagram and I called them. We started using them to remove first at first. Now we use them for everything.”
United Dwelling regularly works with Yellowsack's cheap, flexible dumpster bags to clear dirt, gravel, and excess waste ready to repurpose land for new homeowners. By helping United Dwelling realize these projects, we are giving individuals a renewed sense of dignity and a fighting chance to get on track with their life plans. And by assisting U.D. with our fast, efficient waste management service, they are able to finish these projects in record time, ready to move on to the next, and provide yet another safe place for another family or individual. Now that's what we call teamwork!
To find out more about United Dwellings click here.
Other resources: https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-affordable-housing-programs-leaves-low-income-renters-on-their-own
