West Hollywood’s City Council is set to consider issuing a commitment letter for a long-term ground lease and a $1 million loan from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the development of affordable housing on Crescent Heights Boulevard. The project, if approved, would add 39 affordable units to the city’s housing stock.
Along with the $1 million loan, the city is considering an additional $200,000 to cover plan check fees for the property at 1047-1057 Crescent Heights Boulevard. The funds would be allocated to the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a nonprofit housing developer and operator with a track record of building and managing affordable housing across the region.
West Hollywood has consistently emphasized the importance of expanding affordable housing options as rents continue to climb across the region. The 39 proposed units would provide housing opportunities for residents who might otherwise be priced out of the area.
According to the staff report, the funds would come from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a pool of resources specifically designated to support below-market-rate housing developments. The project aligns with the city’s broader housing goals, which prioritize affordability, inclusivity, and community stability.
The development site is situated on a residential stretch of Crescent Heights Boulevard, where mixed reactions from the community are likely. While affordable housing initiatives often receive broad support in principle, concerns about parking, traffic, and neighborhood character can emerge. The city has indicated that community engagement will be part of the development process.
Community Corporation of Santa Monica has developed similar projects in nearby cities, with a track record of integrating new housing into existing neighborhoods while maintaining high design standards and fostering community connections.
The proposed loan would be issued from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is supported through various funding mechanisms, including developer fees and other city resources earmarked for affordable housing. The loan, coupled with the long-term ground lease, represents a significant investment in ensuring that the units remain affordable for years to come.
If the council approves the proposal, city staff will move forward with executing the ground lease and finalizing the loan agreement. Construction timelines have not yet been announced, but the approval would mark a significant step toward addressing the city’s housing needs.
The decision comes amid broader discussions about housing availability in West Hollywood, where demand continues to outpace supply. The city’s proactive use of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund demonstrates an ongoing commitment to creating housing opportunities for residents across income levels.
As West Hollywood continues to grapple with the challenges of housing affordability, the Crescent Heights project could become a key component of the city’s ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive and accessible community for all residents.
The City Council meeting discussing the proposal will take place on February 18 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. If you wish to make a public comment and are attending in-person, you will complete a Speaker Slip in Council Chambers. If you’d like to comment remotely, follow these directions.
No wonder why nobody builds in West Hollywood if plan check fees are as high as this article states. West Hollywood needs to clean house and change the approval process for these developments. There is no way we are ever going to meet the state’s numbers or get ahead of the housing crisis we are in. California is simply unaffordable to the majority of residents It is amazing that the new parking lot was wasted land for immediate development. Housing over parking lots! The parking lot was over 2 million dollars. That money should have been earmarked to entice a… Read more »
“No wonder why nobody builds in West Hollywood…”
Have you been paying attention? Dozens of projects are approved and pending construction.
If you start out with a falsehood, the rest of your paragraph will only go further and further out into left field.