Housing With a Twist: Job Training : Development: Watts-Willowbrook project sits next to college, where residents can study for health careers.
A festive crowd of 200 community residents and officials on Friday hailed the opening of 48 townhouses in the Watts-Willowbrook area. Planners say the project represents a national role model for providing affordable housing and career opportunities to low-income working parents.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and other dignitaries dedicated the Willowbrook Green Housing Complex, a 3 1/2-acre project at the corner of 118th Street and Compton Avenue near Charles Drew University.
“We need thousands of housing projects like this,” Hahn said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony amid dozens of colored balloons. “This is exactly what America needs to solve its housing crisis.”
Willowbrook Green will be ready for occupancy in mid-August, and the developer by late fall will complete a 5,200-square-foot child-care center accommodating 60 youngsters. In a unique twist, plans are being drawn up by the adjacent Drew University College of Allied Health to train interested Willowbrook Green residents for health careers.
The $3.9-million housing complex is a project of the Drew Housing Development Corp., a nonprofit developer dedicated to rebuilding run-down neighborhoods in South-Central Los Angeles, company President Brenda Y. Shockley said.
“We feel that this is a unique project because it is one of the first attempts to integrate child care, housing and employment together in one cohesive fashion,” Shockley said. “This project was designed as a national role model to provide affordable housing for working parents.”
Each townhouse-style unit will feature carpeting, window blinds, washer and dryer, a stove, refrigerator and central air conditioning, Shockley said. In addition, every unit faces a landscaped courtyard with a toddler play area. There is also a community building where special events can be held.
The apartments range in price from $575 for a one-bedroom to $850 for a three-bedroom unit, Shockley said.
Curious local residents got their first peek inside the apartments Friday afternoon, and several said they were impressed with the facilities.
“These apartments are fabulous. They are absolutely beautiful,” said Lemmarie McGuire of Watts, who said she would like to live in the complex.
“This is a good project,” said Patricia Hardaway, McGuire’s neighbor. “It is putting something back into our community and it will help a lot of working parents.”
Shockley said a management firm is screening potential tenants, who will soon learn whether they have qualified for a unit.
“This particular development is reflecting the revitalization that is coming to the Willowbrook area,” Shockley said. “It will provide something the community can be proud of.”
