Affordable housing community opens in East L.A. along Metro E Line

City leaders celebrated the grand opening of a 64-unit affordable housing complex in Boyle Heights Friday.

The Los Lirios housing community is located immediately adjacent to the LA Metro E Line Soto Station, giving tenants easy access to public transit and making it easier to live car-free in a city known for its bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The five-story apartment community at the corner of 1st and Soto streets was built as part of a partnership between LA Metro, which owns the land, and BRIDGE Housing, an affordable housing community developer.

Of the 64 units, 43 are deemed affordable and reserved for families earning between 30-50% of the area median income, with 20 units designated as supportive housing for previously unhoused tenants.

A mixed-use space, Los Lirios also features 2,4000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

It's the first building to be constructed through the partnership between BRIDGE, LA Metro and the East Los Angeles Community Corporation. BRIDGE Housing officials say the company is quickly expanding its affordable housing portfolio with nearly 14,800 units expected by the end of the year and more than 10,000 additional units "in the pipeline."

The company expects to complete its 10th affordable housing community and begin construction on seven others in 2024.

“We are committed to creating transformative change for people and families by providing access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing,” said BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard. “We are delighted to celebrate our first partnership with LA Metro and ELACC and proud to deliver this beautiful, transit-friendly affordable housing community for Boyle Heights.”

Los Lirios is part of Metro's Joint Development Program, which aims to reduce vehicle use and increase public transit by way of directly linking the Metro system with retail, commercial and housing.

Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said the approach is based on the idea that "communities are stronger when people have a diverse range of housing options, jobs, and services located near fast and frequent transit lines."

The new Boyle Heights community is just one of dozens of upcoming development projects Metro is planning on land "left over" from previous construction projects.

"We’re doing our part to ease the housing shortage in L.A. County and make this region a more affordable, vibrant, and sustainable place to live," Wiggins said.

Friday's ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by government officials, community leaders and current residents like Robert Silva, a single father who spent nearly five years living on the streets while working multiple jobs.

“They have many programs for people who need help—a food bank, counseling, resume and job support. Any type of resource you can think of, they have it here,” Silva said.

Los Lirios has apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, an outdoor courtyard with playground equipment, a multiple purpose room, an exercise room and storage for up to 52 bicycles. There's 51 parking spots to be shared between residential and commercial use.

Amenities aside, the community's new residents are grateful just to have a place they can call home surrounded by the opportunities and close connections of their local neighborhood.

"It’s beautiful at Los Lirios, my kids love it and I love it," Silva added. “To feel hopeful after feeling hopeless is a feeling that’s hard to describe."

For more about LA Metro's Joint Development program, click here.