Metro and a nonprofit developer open a new affordable housing project in East Hollywood

Los Angeles city and transit officials and a nonprofit developer gathered on Thursday in East Hollywood to mark the opening of a new affordable housing development built on Metro-owned land next to the Metro B Line’s Vermont/Santa Monica station at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Metro partnered with nonprofit developer Little Tokyo Service Center to unveil the Santa Monica Vermont Apartments at 1021 N. Vermont Ave., a transit-oriented complex designed for low-income households.

“The Santa Monica Vermont Apartments show how we can bring housing and transit together to better serve our communities,” said Fernando Dutra, Metro Board Chair. “Reliable transit within reach helps create more connected, resilient neighborhoods and expands access to opportunity for working families.”

The project’s 185 units are affordable for low-income households, with half of the units reserved as permanent supportive housing for formerly unhoused individuals. The project includes on-site supportive services, community space, and a health center providing dental and vision services to the local community.

“This development is more than just new homes, it is a lifeline,” said Hilda L. Solis, Metro Board Member and Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, representing the First District. “By situating these homes near transit, we are expanding access to opportunity, improving mobility, and helping residents reduce or even eliminate transportation costs.”

Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro, said, “Housing is desperately needed in LA County, and we’ll keep marching forward toward our goal to build 10,000 units of housing near Metro stations before 2031.”

Takao Suzuki, co-executive director of Little Tokyo Service Center, said, “Santa Monica and Vermont Apartments provides affordable, safe and dignified homes with access to supportive services and high-quality transit, along with ground floor space for local small businesses and community facilities.”