SKID ROW TO RECUPERATION CONSTELLATION

California suffers from more homelessness than any other state in the U.S. This is also true of chronic homelessness – a critical category of homelessness that captures the intersection of homelessness and disability. Indeed, homelessness and disability – both physical and mental - often occur together. This intersection is especially prevalent in Los Angeles. Current approaches to homelessness focus on housing, with insufficient attention paid to the oft equally troublesome disabilities that follow suit. The dearth of attention paid to the intersection between homelessness and disability represents a crucial gap to be filled. This thesis aims to demonstrate how community spaces can be used to address the shortcomings of approaches that provide housing without addressing disability. Methodologically, the creation of a community health clinic can achieve this aim by leveraging design strategies based on social connectivity, biophilic principles and safety and privacy.