Koreatown’s first ED1 affordable housing project opens with 80 units

An 80-unit affordable housing development opened last week in Koreatown, becoming the first project in the neighborhood completed under Mayor Karen Bass’ initiative to speed up construction of affordable housing, according to the mayor’s office.

The development at 611 S. Hobart Blvd. is 100% affordable and was approved through Executive Directive 1, which Bass signed shortly after taking office to streamline city reviews of qualifying affordable housing projects. The project adds housing in a neighborhood where about 90% of residents are renters, according to the mayor’s office.

Bass joined Councilmember Heather Hutt, developers and Korean American community leaders Aug. 6, to mark the building’s opening.

“This project is the first in Koreatown completed under my Executive Directive 1, and with nearly 47,000 affordable units now in the pipeline citywide, we’re showing what happens when City Hall slashes red tape and works with local partners to urgently deliver the affordable housing Los Angeles has needed for so long,” Bass said in a statement.

Hutt, who represents Koreatown as part of Council District 10, said the development would add needed housing in one of the city’s densest neighborhoods.

“This project will greatly benefit our community, delivering much-needed housing, faster, to the people who call Koreatown home,” Hutt said.

Bass issued ED1 during her first week in office in an effort to shorten the city approval process for affordable housing developments. Nearly 47,000 affordable units are now in the pipeline, including about 6,000 under construction, according to the mayor’s office.

The City Council voted unanimously in December 2025 to make the directive permanent through a city ordinance.

Leo Lee, president of developer Atto Properties, said the development would begin welcoming residents soon.