A group of about 30 protesters lined up near a car lot in Chatsworth Wednesday morning to protest a proposed 64-unit project for homeless individuals. A few feet away, a smaller group of protesters gathered to support the development. Across the street, three homeless people waved a “peace” sign, saying they were ready to move in if the Topanga Apartments is built.

“We are not criminals but we do need a house,” said Trini Romero, a former Chatsworth resident who has been homeless for about 4 years. “There are a lot of people who could die out here. Right now there is no way to get out.”

#homeless #chatsworth resident Trini Romero would love the opportunity to live in planned housing for homeless near #ChatsworthPark elementary school pic.twitter.com/bUmWIPiJud — David Crane (@vidcrane) September 25, 2019

The project near the intersection of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Devonshire Street is at the center of controversy as the Council District 12 is grappling to find a site to build its first housing with supportive services for homeless people.

Chatsworth pastorsBill Freeman Kathy Huck pray for a resolution to the homeless crisis as Chatsworth residents and parents of students at Chatsworth Park Elementary school protest the planned homeless housing project near the school on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Homeless Chatsworth residents Trini Romero and Deolores Delgadel show their support for a proposed homeless housing complex on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Homeless Chatsworth residents Deolores Delgadel and Trini Romero show their support for a proposed homeless housing complex on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Residents in favor of the homeless housing on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street show their support in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The site proposed for homeless housing near the Chatsworth Park Elementary school on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



Chatsworth residents and parents of students at Chatsworth Park Elementary school protest the planned homeless housing project near the school on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Homeless Chatsworth resident Trini Romero has been homeless for 13 years and would love the opportunity to live in the proposed homeless housing complex on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Chatsworth pastors Kathy Huck and Bill Freeman pray for a resolution to the homeless crisis as Chatsworth residents and parents of students at Chatsworth Park Elementary school protest the planned homeless housing project near the school on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Chatsworth Park Elementary second grader Sofia Schiavo, in favor of the planned homeless housing, stands in front of protestors against the site of the homeless housing on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Sofia was advocating in favor of the housing project with her mother Pilar Schiavo. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Chatsworth Park Elementary students arrive to school as advocates in favor of the homeless housing on Topanga Blvd near Devonshire street show their support in Chatsworth Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



Nearly 30 residents gathered in Chatsworth to protest proposed Topanga Apartments to house homeless people. Story soon @ladailynews pic.twitter.com/qEiC8YeRUK — Olga Grigoryants (@OlgaGrigory) September 25, 2019

The protesters said they were concerned the project, known as Topanga Apartments, would be too close to a school. Some held signs that read, “Stop homeless apartment next to school” and “Relocate the shelter.”

Chatsworth resident Sandy Bourgeois said she lived near the proposed site and was concerned about neighbors’ safety.

“It’s a weird location because it’s close to the school,” she said.

About 10 counter-protesters gathered near the intersection of Devonshire Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Rev. Bill Freeman from The Congregational Church of Chatsworth extended his hands as he prayed near the protester’s crowd. He said he wanted to support the project and hoped for “a divine intervention” when it comes to building housing for homeless people.

“Jesus was homeless and that’s why we have a heart for the homeless,” he said. “We just want a solution to be found.”

The project, at 10243 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., is the first in the northwest San Fernando Valley’s 12th district to be recommended for Proposition HHH funding, the $1.2 billion bond measure to fund the construction of housing for the homeless.

Recently elected Los Angeles Councilman John Lee has expressed reservations and told the Los Angeles Daily News that he opposed the project. He added that he was looking into other locations for a project. Recently, a City Council committee advanced the Topanga Apartments development to the full council, despite Lee’s request that the vote needs to be postponed.

If the council approves the funds, the project would receive $8.3 million in bond measure money. The developer is hoping to begin construction on the project by February 2021, and have it be completed by August 2022.

In the latest round of recommendations for Proposition HHH funds, 34 projects around the city would receive a total of $230 million. Seven of those projects are in the San Fernando Valley and they amount to a total of about $62 million in HHH funds. Most of the Valley projects being considered are proposed east of the 405 freeway. Just two are in the west Valley, including Topanga Apartments.