Historic Laurel Affordable Senior Housing Project Approved by the West Hollywood City Council.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Staying true to the City of West Hollywood's core value to make affordable housing a community priority, the City Council has voted to uphold the Planning Commission's action to certify the final Environmental Impact Report and approval of permits for the historic Laurel Place Project located at 1343 Laurel Avenue in West Hollywood. The development will provide 27 units of very-low-income Senior housing, and one manager's unit, rehabilitation of a historic mansion and chauffeur's quarters, and preservation of nearly a quarter-acre of lushly landscaped green space along Laurel Avenue as a public park.

"I am delighted that after more than three years, this incredible project is well on its way to becoming a reality. From the beginning, this project has been the personification of our core community value to provide for those least able to provide for themselves," said West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman. "Our Seniors are our greatest asset. This historic project will provide for affordable and stable housing with dignity for many Seniors for generations to come. The addition of a new public park and community meeting space is an added value to the entire community," he continued.

The historic buildings on the site will be adapted into seven units as well as public rooms available to the community. The balance of Senior units will occupy a new three-story building behind the mansion on a portion of the site now occupied by garages, outdoor parking, and a badminton court. Parking will be below grade.

All tenants at the project will receive Section 8 vouchers, limiting their out-of-pocket rents to one-third of their income. Most Seniors will pay less than $300 per month for rent, based on typical Social Security income of around $900. Average market rent for comparable one-bedroom units in West Hollywood is more than $1,000.

The City Council also voted to incorporate the following design changes to the project:

* Eliminate a translucent screen facing the interior courtyard;

* Expand the landscaping, with the possible inclusion of vines, on the side of the new building facing the street;

* Direct the City to engage in future discussions with the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation and WASET regarding the management of the property; and

* Modify the materials on the faE*ade of the rear building to be more compatible with the historic structure.

"The approved final project reduced the number of affordable units and increased the public space, making the project more compatible with the historic building. This is a win-win victory for the whole community," added Mayor Heilman.

The nonprofit West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC), developer of the project, owns and operates 244 units of affordable housing in West Hollywood serving a variety of populations including Seniors, people with disabilities, and families. WHCHC has partnered with Los Angeles-based WASET, another nonprofit housing developer, in this venture. Architect John Mutlow, FAIA, has designed many award-winning affordable housing projects throughout Southern California.

The development is one of two projects in Southern California to be awarded a $4.2 million Section 202 grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2003. The property was designated historic by the City in 1994 and donated to the City in 1997 by Elsie Weisman, who resided there from childhood until her death in 2000.