Huntington Park : Low-Income Families May Buy New Condos

Shelby Jordan, a former offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Raiders, recalls with pride the family home that his father built from scrap lumber.

Now a developer in the Southeast and South Central areas, Jordan tries to create housing that low-income buyers can afford.

“People want a place to live quietly and comfortably,” Jordan said. “The crown of that is to say, ‘I own it.’ ”

One of Jordan’s most recent projects is 128 condominiums on two acres near downtown Huntington Park. Rita Court, scheduled for groundbreaking next month at Rita and Saturn avenues, is the city’s only project for low- and moderate-income first-time home buyers, said Jack Wong, the city’s Community Development director.

The $16-million condominium project will have two four-story buildings with two- and three-bedroom units, underground parking and a common area to be used for a child-care program. The units will be sold for $120,000 and $130,000 to first-time buyers or those who have not owned a home in three years, said Henry Gray, assistant director of community development.

Applicants’ incomes may not exceed 110% of the county median income. A family of four, for example, should have an income of no more than about $42,000.

Applicants may qualify for help with down payments, deferred payments and other subsidies from the city redevelopment agency and the Century Freeway Housing Program.