Tackling homelessness in L.A. is a priority for many developers, politicians and nonprofits.

The latest development aimed at making a dent in the problem is Angeles House, a Union Rescue Mission project that recently broke ground in South L.A.

The 86-unit transitional housing facility is designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux Corp.

Once completed, the three-story building at 13200 Avalon Blvd. is expected to provide interim housing and support services for up to 340 occupants. The facility will house women and their children.

Angeles House is taking a different approach to homeless housing by providing private bathrooms, storage, furniture and privacy.

It will also have community rooms, a garden, a communal kitchen and office space.

Supportive services offered on-site will include job training, day care and health services.

“This goes way beyond just putting a roof over your head. It helps people get back into the community and doesn’t leave them out there,” said Gerry Puchlik, the project’s lead planner and designer.

Puchlik said Union Rescue Mission had been looking to expand its downtown facility for some time.

The group previously worked with a different architecture firm when looking at another location but decided on HED when it picked the South L.A. site and wanted a bigger team, Puchlik said.

Union Rescue Mission chose Puchlik Design Associates in 2018; in 2019, Puchlik’s firm merged with HED.

“Our company has a long history of working in the field of health care and housing,” he said. “We had a lot to bring to the table.”

He said the project’s services are important to helping the residents.

“Their approach is to teach people how to fish and not just give them the fish,” Puchlik said. “They are primarily focused on women and children. Any woman or child that lands on their doorstep in the L.A. area is brought in for the evening, and they have a program that the homeless person can get themselves involved in.”

The 2019 homeless population totaled more than 36,000 people in the city of L.A. and 59,000 in the county, up 16% and 12%, respectively, from 2018, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.