Construction is nearing completion on a 109-unit affordable, mixed-use housing development in Los Angeles.
Florence Apartments will provide 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments for individuals and families earning 60% of the area median income (AMI) and 54 units designated for residents with special needs earning 30% of the AMI.
Located near the metro line’s Florence Station, the new community is AMCAL Multi-Housing’s second development financed in part with state Affordable Housing Sustainable Community (AHSC) funds, which help support housing developments near transit to reduce greenhouse gases by pairing them with sustainable transit-oriented infrastructure such as bicycle paths and improved pedestrian access.
Florence Apartments sits on a 1.08-acre site with a four-story building and includes street-level commercial space. The community’s transit-accessible location and infrastructure improvements will provide residents access to public transportation, parks, markets, education institutions, and retail, which are all located within short distances.
The community is striving for LEED Gold certification. To help residents minimize expenses, AMCAL has installed Energy Star appliances and also has used interior paint and materials with low volatile organic compounds. To reduce water usage, the firm is using low-flow water fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping with a managed irrigation system.
All apartments have a patio or balcony for private outdoor space, storage, and modern amenities for living.
“Florence Apartments is the 49th community in Los Angeles County that we’ve either completed, or are currently building,” says Percy Vaz, AMCAL CEO. “We are happy to be nearly completed with this new environmentally sustainable, affordable housing community that will serve low-income Los Angelenos for years to come.”
The approximately $53.5 million development received strong support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which provided AHSC program funds, Infill Infrastructure Grant funds, and an affordable housing loan. The project also has funding from the Los Angeles County Development Authority, which provided general county funds, Measure H, HOME, and mental health housing program funds.
