Co-developers National Community Renaissance (National CORE) and Linc Housing, both California-based nonprofits, celebrated the grand opening of a 101-unit affordable and supportive housing community in Inglewood, California.
Fairview Heights features one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, including 50 units for people who have experienced homelessness, 50 units for households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income, and one on-site manager’s unit.
The new community is on a 1.44-acre site previously occupied by an aging building owned by Los Angeles County, a key supporter of the new development with funding support from several county sources, including Measure H and Proposition A.
“We’re going to end homelessness when we have enough affordable and supportive housing for our working families and those who struggle with mental and physical health issues,” said Holly Mitchell, county supervisor. “When I look at this beautiful new building and I meet the new residents, I’m inspired to continue our work at the county level to partner with developers and service providers to get more housing built. Fairview Heights is a shining example of what’s possible.”
A highlight of the building is “Rise Above,” a four-story-high augmented reality mural. The mural features vibrant colors and imagery of joining hands, which depict strength in togetherness, solidarity, diversity, and inclusion. Viewers can download the Rise Above Mural app and then hold up their phones to experience the augmented reality. They’ll see the hands open to reveal images of culture, history, and heritage. Poppies—California’s state flower and a native species of Inglewood—grow and bloom, and leaves blow in the wind, while a ribbon swirls around, leading the viewer through the story of Inglewood. Viewers can also swipe to another “documentary” layer to see and hear community members talk about what makes Inglewood a great place to live and work.
“We’re all about bringing people together to support our residents and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Suny Lay Chang, president and COO, Linc Housing. “With this new housing, wraparound intensive case management, resident services, public art, and ground floor space for organizations that want to work with us to uplift this community, we’re confident Fairview Heights will be central to the ongoing revitalization of Inglewood.”
The two four-story buildings feature Spanish-style architecture with open spaces to promote resident interaction. The complex has on-site parking, bike storage, a community room with a computer lab, offices for case management, tot lots, and two outdoor courtyards with picnic areas.
The buildings, recently certified LEED for Homes Gold, have a rooftop solar energy system that is expected to offset 90% of the community’s common area electricity needs. Water-conserving plumbing, drought-tolerant landscaping, and high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and AC systems further decrease Fairview Heights’ carbon footprint.
“Fairview Heights is an example of what can happen when like-minded partners and supportive cities work together to address the housing issues in our communities,” said Steve PonTell, president and CEO, National CORE. “It has been a pleasure working with the county, city, and Linc Housing to build sustainable apartment homes with strong wraparound services that provide new opportunities for individuals who were formerly homeless and families who have been struggling.”
Partnerships with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and Department of Mental Health allows Linc and National CORE to serve the 50 formerly homeless households with intensive case management services. Additionally, all residents have access to life-enhancing services through Linc’s resident services program.
Intensive case management services include mental health and physical health services, employment counseling and job placement, education, substance use counseling, money management, assistance in obtaining and maintaining benefits, and referrals to community-based services and resources. Linc resident services will support all residents with a variety of programs to promote community, health, and wellness.
In addition to the new homes and services for the residents, the complex’s ground level has more than 6,300 square feet of community-serving space that includes offices for local nonprofit One For All, an Inglewood Police Department Community Drop-In Center, and the planned Workforce Innovation & Talent Center in partnership with CVS Health. Fairview Heights’ location is walking distance to surrounding community amenities, including the nearby Edward Vincent Junior Park and the Fairview Heights Metro Station, due to open later this year.
Funding for the approximately $44 million development comes from a variety of sources, including $11.5 million distributed by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (County General Funds, Mental Health Housing Program Funds, Measure H, and Proposition A – L.A. County District Two), as well as a conventional loan and low-income housing tax credit equity from Bank of America.
KFA Architecture designed the new community, and National CORE was the general contractor.
