CLEANED-UP UNITS EARMARKED FOR TROUBLED YOUTHS.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to allocate $200,000 to refurbish two run-down apartment buildings in North Hills as homes for 16 former foster youths with mental health needs.

Some of the youths will come from MacLaren Children's Center, the county's shelter in El Monte for abused and emotionally disturbed children.

``This creates an opportunity for some transitional housing for young adults who are mentally ill and who have come out of treatment,'' Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said. ``I think it's a wonderful program and, but for the grace of God, any one of us could be in need of such a program.''

The board's action directs the county Community Development Commission to use $200,000 in condominium funds to assist the National Foundation for the Treatment of the Emotionally Handicapped, also known as Penny Lane, in financing the refurbishment of the two buildings at Columbus House Transitional Housing. The apartments are at 15257 Acre St. and 15259 Gresham St., next to the Penny Lane complex.

Penny Lane, a nonprofit housing developer that has already renovated three nearby apartment complexes where 37 youths in need of mental health care are living, will use the money, along with $417,000 from the city of Los Angeles, to refurbish the two structures.

``We are full,'' said Ivelise Markovits, executive director of Penny Lane. ``We are trying to renovate the neighborhood. These two apartment buildings were in very bad shape, and inhabited by who knows who and a lot of drug dealers. This will give us an opportunity to clean it up and make it beautiful.''

Markovits said she has ``tremendous community support,'' partly because Penny Lane offers a variety of services, including opening its facilities for groups to meet - such as mothers whose children are at risk of becoming gang members - and offering mental health services to nearby schools.

Penny Lane also has a foster group home for 50 teen-age girls, schools for emotionally disturbed children and a mental health clinic.

``Penny Lane is one of the cornerstones of the community there,'' said Harry Coleman, president of the North Hills Community Coordinating Council. ``They are the glue that keeps that area together.''

Coleman said the apartments Penny Lane is going to refurbish were in the worst condition.

``I can't describe how deplorable conditions were before they took them over,'' Coleman said.

Now, with North Hills Community Park under construction nearby, Coleman said the area is improving.

``With Penny Lane right behind us with their (surveillance) cameras, one of the most troubled areas in Los Angeles will be well-lit and it will be one more tool in leveling off the problem with gang activity.''