Two affordable housing projects headed to South LA

Construction is getting underway on a pair of affordable housing projects along Crenshaw Boulevard. Situated within a few blocks of one another between Adams and Exposition, the two mixed use buildings will bring a combined total of 99 units of housing to the area.

Developer Retirement Housing Foundation is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for the two buildings, called Crenshaw Gardens and Crenshaw Villas.

Construction on the latter project, which will include 50 units of senior housing and 3,500 square feet of commercial space, began in December. Just a half-mile south, work on Crenshaw Gardens is evidently also ready to begin.

The five-story building will include 49 units available to families earning less than half of the area’s median income. It’s also set to feature 3,500 square feet of retail and 1,980 square feet of restaurant space, according to a project summary.

An announcement from Retirement Housing Foudnation notes that both projects will be constructed with an open concept design that includes a community room, communal courtyard, and laundry facilities.

The Crenshaw Gardens project will also be conveniently located just a block from stops on the Expo Line and the under-construction Crenshaw/LAX Line. The train line, which will run between Crenshaw/Exposition and Aviation/Century, is expected to be complete by 2019.

• Construction ready to start on new transit-friendly affordable housing [Curbed LA]
• Affordable housing and public park set to replace old industrial buildings in South LA [Curbed LA]
• County will finance five new affordable housing projects, bringing 304 units to South LA [Curbed LA]