Cudahy : Sign-Up for Low-Income Apartments Under Way

Nearly six years after work began on three apartment buildings, tenants are being sought for the 32 units built to replace housing lost to Century Freeway (105) construction.

The three buildings were constructed with $2.7 million from the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The apartments are a joint project of the Century Freeway Housing Program and the Century Freeway Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program.

Construction began in 1987 but was halted soon after the contractor hired by the state went out of business, said G. Allen Kingston, executive director of the Century Freeway Housing Program. Work resumed in 1989 on the three buildings, which were completed last month.

The apartments were built by trainees from the pre-apprenticeship program, a seven-week course that trains people in trades such as roofing. Trainees are initially paid $4.25 an hour, but earn $6.50 by the fifth week of their training.

The buildings at 3914 Live Oak St., 5133 Santa Ana St., and 4513 Elizabeth St. are a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Rents vary according to the income of tenants, but cannot exceed 30% of a tenant’s gross income, Kingston said.

The housing program builds affordable housing for low-income families in communities along the 17.5-mile stretch of the Century Freeway.

Applications for the three buildings are being reviewed. Housing information: (310) 419-2377. Training program information: (310) 673-3944.