For some residents of Movietown Square, a broken elevator isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a barrier that can leave them stranded in their own homes. On March 17, the West Hollywood City Council will consider authorizing staff to assess ongoing issues related to elevator maintenance and building security, and also examine how future affordable housing developments can better accommodate residents with mobility impairments.
Located at 7302 Santa Monica Boulevard, Movietown Square provides 77 affordable units for seniors aged 62 and older with limited incomes. The six-story building was constructed as part of a deal with the developer of Avalon West, a 371-unit mixed-use development, and later transferred to the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC) for operation as a senior housing facility.
The building’s single elevator, though compliant with California Building Code requirements, presents a challenge when out of service. Residents with mobility impairments—particularly those in wheelchairs—may be unable to leave their units until repairs are completed.
To improve reliability, WHCHC has made multiple upgrades over the years, including installing cameras, improving ventilation in the elevator equipment room, and replacing the cabling in 2024. While these measures have helped, breakdowns still occur.
Another concern is security. A stairwell connected to the Trader Joe’s parking garage has a fire door that cannot be locked, allowing unauthorized individuals to enter. While WHCHC has installed 24/7 security cameras at the entrance, residents remain concerned about safety risks.
Vice Mayor John Heilman has proposed directing city staff to work with WHCHC to conduct a formal assessment of these issues. This assessment would identify potential steps the City could take to support WHCHC in improving accessibility and security for residents.
The directive would also task staff with assessing how future affordable housing projects can better accommodate residents with mobility impairments. While this does not set immediate new accessibility standards, it could guide future policies on building design, including whether affordable housing developments should be required to have multiple access points instead of relying on a single elevator.
If approved, city staff from multiple divisions—including Rent Stabilization, Property Development, and Building & Safety—will carry out the assessment. Depending on its findings, the City may also seek external consultants with expertise in accessibility and building safety.
While this agenda item does not introduce policy changes yet, it could lay the foundation for future improvements. If approved, the assessment will allow staff to identify potential fixes at Movietown Square, while also beginning the process of evaluating how future affordable housing projects can better address accessibility needs.
When this project was first proposed, didn’t some community members object to the single elevator?
In the case of a fire, how do wheel chair residents exit the building? How did this building get built ? 77 units and only one elevator in and out? Who made the money here? So much for the planning commission and building inspectors. What a safety disaster.