A new affordable housing project broke ground in South Los Angeles on Sept. 1.
Surrounded by more than 50 community members and stakeholders, co-developers Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County (NHSLA) and Abode Communities broke ground on a site that was once governed by a restrictive covenant that forbade the sale or rental to “any person of the African or the Mongolian race.”
“The Manchester Urban Homes groundbreaking is an example of how far we’ve come and how far we still must go to make sure every Angeleno has a place to call home,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “It is another important step forward on our longstanding commitment to delivering more affordable housing. I want to thank Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County and Abode Communities for their work to serve South Los Angeles on this project and beyond.”
Manchester Urban Homes will feature 122 affordable family homes with a mix of multi-family residential and townhouse-style homes.
The project site, located at 8721 S. Broadway was previously used as a community church led by Bishop Dr. Will T. Washington. He and his son, Pastor Thom Washington, developed the surrounding area with a barber shop, beauty salon, and beauty supply stores. The land was ultimately purchased by NHSLA.
“This site is an incredible opportunity for restorative justice,” said Lori Gay, President & CEO of NHSLA. “It is an honor to reclaim this land, where Black and Asian people were once excluded by force of law, to the community as housing available and accessible to everyone. That is the joy of living in Los Angeles, we all get to share in each other’s experiences, our rich diversity, and work together to transform our communities.”
In 2017, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who represents the area, held a series of community meetings to get input on improvements that could be made on Broadway between Manchester and Imperial Hwy with many comments supporting affordable housing. Many of items suggested will be incorporated into the project.
Onsite services include financial counseling that aim to support them in achieving their personal goals, building generational wealth, and retaining their housing. Building amenities include a green alley, community garden, central courtyard and playground, a lounge area with rooftop deck, community room, bike safety and transit ridership programs.
“It’s not every day that you get to set right the wrongs of history with a shovel and a patch of land, but watching Abode and NHS put up affordable homes for the people of South LA on the site of a racist restrictive covenant is what justice in practice looks like,” said Harris-Dawson. “Where exclusion was once law, inclusion will soon be real.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2025.