L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and community members help welcome Los Lirios, located immediately next to the Metro E Line Soto Station
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 15, 2024) – BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer on the West Coast, celebrated the grand opening of a 64-unit transit-oriented affordable housing community in the heart of Boyle Heights today, joined by LA Metro, East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC), L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and other dignitaries and community members.
Los Lirios will help address the urgent need for affordable housing in East Los Angeles, and marks the first partnership between BRIDGE Housing, LA Metro and ELACC. The five-story community was built by BRIDGE Housing on Metro-owned property next to the Metro E Line Soto Station at 1st and Soto Streets. Forty-three apartments will be affordable for families earning between 30 and 50 percent of Area Median Income, and 20 units are supportive housing for residents who previously experienced homelessness. The mixed-use community also includes 2,400 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.
Los Lirios is part of a surge of affordable housing creation by BRIDGE Housing, whose $3.5 billion portfolio will total nearly 14,800 units by the end of 2024, with more than 10,000 additional units in the pipeline. This year alone, BRIDGE is on course to complete 10 communities and begin construction on seven others. BRIDGE is also stepping up its acquisition of affordable housing communities in order to ensure their apartments remain permanently affordable for residents.
“At BRIDGE Housing, we are committed to creating transformative change for people and families by providing access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing,” said BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard. “We are delighted to celebrate our first partnership with LA Metro and ELACC and proud to deliver this beautiful, transit-friendly affordable housing community for Boyle Heights.”
Los Lirios places residents at the heart of a vibrant, transit-rich neighborhood with convenient access to jobs, education, and essential services throughout Los Angeles. Los Lirios is part of the Metro Joint Development Program, which seeks to reduce auto use and increase transit ridership by directly linking Metro’s transportation network with retail, commercial and housing opportunities.
“Metro’s approach to Transit Oriented Communities and Joint Development starts with a basic principle: Communities are stronger when people have a diverse range of housing options, jobs, and services located near fast and frequent transit lines,” said Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO. “Los Lirios is one of dozens of developments Metro will build in the coming years on land left over from our construction projects, and we’re doing our part to ease the housing shortage in LA County and make this region a more affordable, vibrant, and sustainable place to live.”
Today’s ribbon-cutting was attended by more than 100 people including government officials, civic leaders, financing partners, service providers, residents, neighbors, and many others.
“In Boyle Heights, as well as many neighborhoods in the First District, the need for affordable housing for low- and middle-income families has never been more urgent. Many of our residents also rely on public transportation or alternative means of travel in order to get to school and work,” said Metro Board Member and Los Angeles County Supervisor, Hilda L. Solis. “Over a decade in the making, the development and opening of Los Lirios demonstrates the positive impact Metro’s Joint Development program will have on a better quality of life for our County, especially for those in our most vulnerable communities.”
Los Lirios offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, with ground-floor commercial space designed to help activate the Metro Plaza. A large portion of the ground floor is dedicated to a central open courtyard designed for outdoor events and social gatherings. The project’s contemporary design was informed by a number of outreach meetings with significant community engagement and input. The design reflects the community’s vision while reflecting a harmonious blend of current and emerging developments in the surrounding neighborhood. Metro has highlighted the Los Lirios design process as a model of successful community engagement.
ELACC will provide general services to residents including after-school programs, ESL classes, financial literacy classes, free tax preparation, homeownership education, holiday programming, and employment education. PATH Ventures will provide case management and supportive services for the formerly homeless households.
ELACC led an extensive outreach program to select local artist, Michelle “Mr B Baby” Guerrero, to commission a mural at Los Lirios that represents the diverse history and culture of Boyle Heights. The mural provides a comprehensive depiction of Boyle Heights through a cactus that represents the resiliency of the community, showcases traditional patterns from Mexican, Japanese, Jewish, and Native American cultures highlighting the incredible diversity of the neighborhood, among others.
“I am so proud of our Los Lirios apartments, which will serve our community with affordable housing as well as the beautiful mural by Michelle ‘Mr B Baby’ Guerrero, which embodies the culture of Boyle Heights,” said ELACC Executive Director Monica Mejia.
Residents at Los Lirios include Robert Silva, a 41-year-old single father who experienced homelessness for nearly five years even as he worked as a retail shift manager and a property manager at a self-storage facility.
“It’s beautiful at Los Lirios, my kids love it and I love it. They have many programs for people who need help—a food bank, counseling, resume and job support. Any type of resource you can think of, they have it here,” Silva said. “To feel hopeful after feeling hopeless is a feeling that’s hard to describe.”
Amenities at Los Lirios include an outdoor courtyard with play equipment, a community multi-purpose room, an exercise room, and secure bike storage for 52 bikes. There will be 51 vehicular parking spaces shared between residential and commercial uses.
Financing for Los Lirios was provided by Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC), California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco – Affordable Housing Program (AHP), and Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. The project was designed by Gonzalez Goodale Architects, and the General Contractor was Walton Construction, Inc. Property management services will be provided by The John Stewart Company.
Founded in 1983, BRIDGE Housing is committed to providing safe, affordable homes for families in Greater Los Angeles and throughout the West Coast. With a focus on community development and comprehensive support services, BRIDGE’s $3.5 billion portfolio totals more than 14,000 units in California, Washington and Oregon, providing affordable homes for 30,000 residents. More than 10,000 affordable apartments are in the development or acquisition pipeline.
About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing is a leading nonprofit developer, owner and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the creation of more than 21,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon and Washington, with a total development cost of $5.2 billion. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.