BELL GARDENS : Building of Low-Cost Homes Under Way

Construction has started on 126 townhomes that will be owned by low- and moderate-income residents.

The $12.5-million complex is partially financed by the Century Freeway Housing Program, which will lend $4.8 million to the developer, Nehemiah West Housing Corp. of Los Angeles.

“What we really like about this project is the home ownership aspect,” said G. Allan Kingston, executive director of the Century Freeway Housing Program. “Home ownership is difficult to do when you are talking about affordable housing and (Nehemiah West) is a community-based group that understands the people who will use the housing.”

Additional funding will be provided by several groups, including the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is donating about $3 million.

The 4.71-acre project at 6348 Gage Ave. will replace housing that was razed to make way for the Century Freeway (105).

The two- and three-bedroom townhomes are expected to have monthly mortgages of about $500, according to the Department of Housing and Community Development.