LINC Housing to Build New Affordable Apartment Community in Los Angeles County that Bridges Housing and Health

LONG BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 13, 2015) - The Willowbrook neighborhood in Los Angeles County will soon have 61 new affordable homes as LINC Housing finalizes funding and plans for Mosaic Gardens at Willowbrook, due to begin construction late 2015, early 2016. 

Mosaic Gardens at Willowbrook is a four-site assembly of two county owned sites and two privately owned sites in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County near the intersection of Willowbrook Avenue and El Segundo Blvd. LINC will build a 61-unit affordable housing community for low-income families and formerly homeless households.

"This development is part of our work to combine housing and healthcare as a holistic approach to improving people's lives and transforming neighborhoods," said Rebecca Clark, LINC's president and CEO. "As participants in the Partners in Progress grant program with Citi Foundation and Low Income Investment Fund, we've been able to explore various approaches to developing a housing and health model we and others can replicate. We see partnerships with the health industry and the creation of permanent supportive housing as opportunities to create real neighborhood change."

Mosaic Gardens at Willowbrook has strong support from Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas' office as well as the Los Angeles Community Development Commission. Part of the land was donated by Los Angeles County. Other funding for the $20-million development comes from a number of sources including Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Trust Funds and HOME Funds, Los Angeles County Second Supervisorial District Homeless Service Center Funds, Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles Project-Based Vouchers, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Federal Home Loan Bank's Affordable Housing Program, construction and permanent loans from Citibank, and tax credit equity from Raymond James Tax Credit Funds Inc. Funding for the acquisition of the site was also made possible by generous support from the Low Income Investment Fund, The California Endowment, and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

The new apartment community also has the support of a local community leader and advocate, Dr. Deloris Glass, who is head of the advocacy group, Concerned Citizens of Willowbrook. "Residents are concerned about Willowbrook's increasing homeless population," she said. "Many of the homeless people in our neighborhood are long-time residents of the community whose lives have taken a tough turn. Bringing permanent, affordable housing to our community, and helping residents get the healthcare they need will have an important impact. I can see lives being put back together again."

Within a half mile of the property, residents of this community will have access to many amenities including an elementary school, public transportation, retail shopping, pharmacies and other service opportunities. The properties are within a mile of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center, and the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Metro Station, both of which are undergoing major renovations.

The architecture and landscape will incorporate many features for healthy living. Open stairs filled with natural light will be conveniently located to encourage their use while elevators will be physically tucked away. The buildings will be interconnected by open space, preserving several large and old trees, to encourage walking and socialization. Community gardens will be available for families to grow their own food. The community room will have space for educational classes for healthy living as well as a kitchen where residents can learn how to prepare grown food for consumption. A tot lot and small field will also provide children a safe environment for physical activity. The large community space will include multipurpose space to house a variety of resident programs as well as a computer lab, manager's office, and private meeting space for service providers and case managers.

Construction is due to begin in December 2015, with a target completion date of spring 2017. The community was designed by Studio One Eleven and is now being brought to life by Withee Malcolm Architects. To be notified when the application process begins, call LINC Housing at (562) 684-1100 to be placed on the list.

About LINC Housing Corporation
 LINC Housing, one of California's most productive nonprofit developers of affordable housing, has helped create more than 7,500 homes in 73 communities throughout the state. The organization's properties are known for excellent design, outstanding management and life-enhancing services for its residents. LINC has more than 30 years of service to families, seniors, and local governments helping to create sustainable communities via new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, and historic preservation. Visit www.linchousing.org for more information.