New community addresses critical need for more affordable housing in the L.A. area

City leaders and housing advocates gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Casa Amparo, a new affordable housing community at 3552 Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights. Developed and operated by nonprofit Mercy Housing California, Casa Amparo includes 63 high-quality apartment homes for individuals with low incomes who have experienced homelessness. The event marked a major step forward in Los Angeles’ ongoing efforts to address its housing crisis.

Funding from Measure A and Proposition HHH

Casa Amparo was built with funding from voter-approved Measure A (formerly Measure H) and Proposition HHH. Measure A supports housing construction, homelessness prevention, and renter assistance, while Proposition HHH focuses on reducing the time and cost of building supportive housing. Thanks to these initiatives, Casa Amparo was completed on an accelerated timeline to meet the city’s urgent housing needs.

Tiffany Bohee, President of Mercy Housing California, expressed appreciation for the collaboration that made the project possible, “Casa Amparo is a powerful example of what’s possible when public investment meets community commitment. We’re deeply grateful to the City of Los Angeles and the voters behind Measure A and Prop HHH. This critical funding made it possible to deliver high-quality, affordable homes to those who need them most.”

Mercy Housing California partnered with Abode Communities and LA Family Housing as part of the Proposition HHH Housing Challenge, which aims to build supportive housing more quickly and affordably. Working with modular builder Factory OS, the team used a replicable design for 60-unit buildings, streamlining approvals and reducing costs through efficient construction methods.

Housing costs in Los Angeles are more than double the national average

In a city where housing costs are more than double the national average, the need for affordable housing is acute. According to the 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, over 45,000 people experienced homelessness on any given night in the city—a 2.2% decrease from 2023. Developments like Casa Amparo are helping to reduce that number.

“Access to quality, safe, and affordable housing helps prevent Angelenos from falling into homelessness in the first place — prevention and the building of more housing is core to our comprehensive strategy,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “I want to recognize Casa Amparo for the opening of this project. We look forward to seeing how these new homes bring stability to Angelenos’ lives.”

Casa Amparo serves individuals earning less than 30% of the area median income (AMI) and includes onsite property management, communal spaces, and comprehensive resident services. LA Family Housing offers support services, including a food pantry, meal delivery, and personalized case management. Services also focus on mental health, substance use recovery, healthcare access, financial literacy, and tenant rights education, ensuring residents have the tools to thrive.

Casa Amparo fosters a stronger community.

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado highlighted the broader impact on the neighborhood: “Casa Amparo not only provides housing but builds a stronger community by offering essential services that help residents build connections and lead healthier, more stable lives.”

The community also fosters a sense of belonging through social events and inclusive activities, helping residents rebuild their social networks and regain a sense of stability.

The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours, and heartfelt remarks from city officials and community leaders, celebrating a new beginning for Casa Amparo’s residents.