City leaders celebrated the grand opening of a 64-unit affordable housing complex in Boyle Heights on Friday.
The Los Lirios residential community is located right next to the Soto station on the LA Metro E line, giving residents easy access to public transportation and the ability to live car-free in a city known for traffic congestion. becomes easier.
The five-story apartment community at the corner of 1st and Soto streets was built as part of a partnership between LA Metro, which owns the land, and BRIDGE Housing, an affordable housing community developer.
Of the 64 units, 43 are considered affordable and set aside for families earning 30-50% of the area median income, and 20 units are designated as supportive housing for previously unhoused tenants. has been.
Los Lilios, an affordable, transit-focused apartment community in Boyle Heights (Photographed November 15, 2024) (BRIDGE Housing)
A mixed-use space, Los Lirios also has 2,4000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.
This is the first building constructed through a partnership between BRIDGE, LA Metro, and East Los Angeles Community Corporation. Bridge Housing officials say the company is rapidly expanding its affordable housing portfolio, with approximately 14,800 units expected by the end of the year, and more than 10,000 more in the “pipeline.” .
The company plans to complete its 10th affordable housing community in 2024 and begin construction on seven other communities.
“We are committed to making a transformative difference for people and families by providing access to safe, accessible and affordable housing,” said President and CEO of Bridge Housing. said Ken Lombardo, CEO of the company. “We are excited to celebrate our first partnership with LA Metro and ELACC and are proud to bring this beautiful, transit-friendly, affordable housing community to Boyle Heights.”
Los Lirios is part of Metro’s collaborative development program, which aims to reduce vehicle use and increase public transit by directly linking the Metro system with retail, commercial and residential areas.
Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro, said that this approach “communities are stronger when we can provide people with a variety of housing options, jobs, and services near fast, frequent transit.” It is based on the idea that “this will happen.”
The new Boyle Heights community is just one of dozens of upcoming development projects Metro is planning on land “left over” from previous construction projects.
“We are doing our part to alleviate the housing shortage in Los Angeles County and make our region a more affordable, vibrant and sustainable place to live,” Wiggins said. .
On November 15, 2024, city leaders and developers cut the ribbon at Los Lilios, an affordable, transit-oriented apartment community in Boyle Heights. (BRIDGE Housing)
Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by government officials, community leaders and current residents like Robert Silva, a single father who lived on the streets for nearly five years while working multiple jobs.
“They have a lot of programs in place for people who need help, like food banks, counseling, resume and employment assistance. Every type of resource you can think of is here,” Silva said. Said.
Los Lilios features apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, an outdoor courtyard with play equipment, a multipurpose room, an exercise room, and storage for up to 52 bicycles. There are 51 parking spaces in total for residential and commercial use.
Amenities aside, the community’s new residents are surrounded by opportunities and close local connections, and are grateful just to have a place to call home.
“Los Lilios is so beautiful. The kids love it and I love it too,” Silva added. “Feeling hope after feeling despair is a hard feeling to explain.”
Click here to learn more about LA Metro’s collaborative development program.
