Community leaders recently celebrated the opening of the Santa Monica & Vermont Apartments, a significant affordable housing initiative located at the Vermont/Santa Monica Metro Station in East Hollywood. This mixed-use development comprises 185 affordable housing units, half of which are designated as permanent supportive housing for the homeless, while the other half serves low-income families.
Project Overview
The Santa Monica & Vermont project broke ground in 2022 and has been operational for about a year, currently providing shelter to over 300 residents. Although the grand opening was initially scheduled for June, it was postponed due to federal ICE raids that caused widespread concern in Southern California.
Development Partners
Developed by the Little Tokyo Service Center in collaboration with Metro, the project occupies land owned by both entities. Its strategic location is directly adjacent to the Metro B Line Vermont/Santa Monica Boulevard Station, enhancing community access to public transit.
Community Benefits
Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, Metro Board First Vice Chair, praised the project for delivering “truly affordable housing that reaches many income levels.” Debbie Chen, Director of Real Estate at the Little Tokyo Service Center, referred to it as a “housing plus plus plus project.” The development features five stories of housing above 20,000 square feet of commercial space.
Transit Improvements
The project also enhances local transit options with funding from the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program. Additional community funds were sourced from L.A. City Measure ULA and Measure HHH. Improvements include new DASH buses, bus shelters, sidewalks, and crosswalks.
Resident Impact
Residents have reported positive changes in their lives. Ginger Henriquez, one of the new residents, shared that her family’s new home has provided them stability—financially, emotionally, and mentally. “In our home, we are no longer just getting by; we are planning for our future,” she stated during the ceremony.
Visuals from the Development
- Common room for residents
- Outdoor dining and barbecue area
- Second-floor courtyard overlooking the Metro Station
- Kids play area
- Views of both the front and back of the apartments
The Santa Monica & Vermont Apartments not only provide much-needed housing but also strengthen community ties through enhanced transit access and public spaces. This initiative highlights the importance of affordable housing in today’s urban landscape.
