Wave Staff Report
BOYLE HEIGHTS — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority continues to build on its commitment to grow its housing portfolio to 10,000 homes by 2031.
On Nov. 15, the MTA joined the East Los Angeles Community Corporation and Bridge Housing Corporation in a dedication ceremony to mark the completion of construction of Los Lirios, a transit-oriented, mixed-use housing development for low- and moderate-income households.
Los Lirios was built on MTA-owned property adjacent to the E Line Soto station at 1st and Soto streets in Boyle Heights,
County Supervisor and MTA board member Hilda L. Solis was on hand for the ribbon cutting, praising the project as an example of the county’s commitment to bringing more affordable housing to the area.
The new five-story apartment building features 64 income-restricted homes above 2,400 square feet of community serving retail space on the site that was previously used by the MTA to support construction of the adjacent E Line Station. Los Lirios offers studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments to families earning between 30% and 50% of the area median income with 20 apartments set aside for formerly unhoused individuals that are supported by Section 8 vouchers.
Residential amenities include onsite offices for management and service providers, a workout room, on-site laundry, a community room, a children’s play area, and an outdoor courtyard. Resident services are provided by the East Los Angeles Community Corporation, and PATH Ventures provides case management and supportive services for formerly homeless households.
“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,” Solis said. “Many of our residents also rely on public transportation or alternative means of travel in order to get to school and work.”
“Over a decade in the making, the development and opening of Los Lirios demonstrates the positive impact the MTA’s joint development program will have on a better quality of life for our county, especially for those in our most vulnerable communities.”
“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 the MTA and ELACC and proud to deliver this beautiful, transit-friendly affordable housing community for Boyle Heights.”
The MTA’s Vision 2028 Strategic Plan encourages the development of affordable housing near transit lines and stations to give more people, especially in low-income communities, better access to transit. In 2021, the MTA established a goal of expanding its housing portfolio through the joint development program to 10,000 homes by 2031, with 5,000 of the apartments to be restricted at affordable rents for lower and moderate-income households.
To meet the goal, the MTA has partnered with local developers to increase the supply of high-quality housing on its properties, especially income-restricted apartments. In addition to providing much-needed housing, the new projects can advance many community development goals and serve as a gateway to the transit system.
“Our 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 MTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “Los Lirios is one of dozens of developments we 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 L.A. County and make this region a more affordable, vibrant, and sustainable place to live.”
Los Lirios is the MTA’s second joint development housing project to open this year as part of its ambitious effort to bring more affordable housing to Los Angeles County. The first was La Veranda, a mixed-use housing development for low- and moderate-income households in Boyle Heights, which was celebrated in June 18.
Following La Veranda and Los Lirios, the plans to open two more affordable housing communities in 2025: Vermont/Santa Monica Apartments, which will include 187 apartments and community serving commercial and social service space at the Vermont/Santa Monica MTA station, and Lorena Plaza, a 49-unit community located at the intersection of 1st and Lorena streets in Boyle Heights.
