The Los Angeles Post

Councilmember O’Farrell, Metro and Little Tokyo Service Center Break Ground on Nearly 200 Units of Homeless and Low-Income Housing

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The Santa Monica Vermont Apartments will help address Los Angeles’ affordability crisis, while putting people experiencing homelessness on a pathway to wellness and stability

 

EAST HOLLYWOOD – Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell today joined the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Santa Monica Vermont Apartments, a new transit-oriented development that will provide 187 units of housing for people experiencing homelessness and low wage workers.

 

“Every Angeleno deserves a safe, affordable and comfortable place to live,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, who helped secure funding and entitlements for the project’s completion. “Projects like these will make a real difference for working families in East Hollywood, while also putting people experiencing homelessness on a pathway to wellness, stability and a purposeful life. I’m proud to have worked with LTSC and Metro to make this project a reality and look forward to welcoming its first residents as soon as it opens.”

 

Since taking office, O’Farrell has been a leader in affordable housing production, with the 13th District outpacing nearly every area in the City in the production of affordable housing. The HHH-funded Santa Monica Vermont Apartments, a project championed by O’Farrell, will also include community-serving retail space with plans for a health center and a food court, prioritizing local and legacy small businesses as tenants. Transit improvements will also be made to the Metro Station and plaza, in addition to a new bike/mobility hub and transit shelters.

 

Councilmember O’Farrell was joined at this morning’s press conference by County and City leaders, as well as representatives from Little Tokyo Service Center.

 

“Today is an exciting day for Metro and East Hollywood,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Hilda Solis. “This new transit-oriented development will be an example of how innovative thinking and strategic partnerships can make sustainable, equitable development a reality. Developing housing on Metro-owned land is making a difference in the lives of Angelenos throughout the city and we will continue to work to deliver on our promise of developing 5,000 affordable housing units by 2031.”

 

“We are proud to be collaborating with Metro on this development that will help address the acute affordability challenges families face throughout Los Angeles,” said LTSC Executive Director Erich Nakano. “This project is a prime example of how we can place Los Angeles on a path toward a more sustainable, affordable and livable future. We hope it will inspire future sustainable housing developments in cities and communities across the county.”

 

“Many transit riders in our County have an average annual income of just $18,000 a year,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “These are the residents that need affordable housing the most. How we use our land can help make the difference between a thriving community for all versus one that doesn’t work for low- and moderate-income families.”