Introduction to Affordable Housing in Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey is slated to get its first-ever 100 percent affordable housing project with the help of Mercy Housing Corporation.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Mercy to move forward with the development of a county-owned 90,000-square-foot parking lot at 4206 Admiralty Way, Westside Current reported.

Project Overview

Mercy is proposing a seven-story, 120-unit mixed-income development at the site. The Atlanta-based affordable developer plans for one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 2,250 square feet of ground floor retail and 135 parking spaces. A 9,000-square-foot community garden, terraced gathering areas and upgrades to an existing pedestrian path along the Oxford Basin are also part of the plans.

Eligibility and Selection Process

Residents earning between 20 and 80 percent of the county’s area median income, currently at $106,600 for a one-person household, are eligible for the apartments. Ed Holder, vice president of real estate development for Mercy Housing, told the Current that tenants will be selected via lottery. In addition, 30 units will be “reserved for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are capable of living independently.”

Design and Financing

TCA Architects, the firm behind other projects in the seaside community like AMLI Marina and Neptune Marina, will design the development. Terms of the ground lease of the lot and financing for the project have yet to be disclosed, and the timeline for construction is also yet to be determined.

Initiative and Policy

The plan is made possible by the Marina del Rey for All initiative adopted in 2022. The measure changed Marina del Rey’s affordable housing policy to require that 30 percent of all new homes built in the area be affordable, doubling its efforts from 15 percent. “We have a unique opportunity in Marina del Rey to use land owned by L.A. County to provide a public benefit of affordable housing and access to the Marina for all residents to enjoy,” L.A. county supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the area, said of the project.

Next Steps

Mercy is tasked with getting a coastal development permit and plans to do extensive community outreach before construction begins, though it could be years before they break ground. “There’s a lot of work ahead of us. And that’s the process,” Holder told the Current. “We like the process. We like these conversations. We like learning.”

Conclusion

The introduction of Marina del Rey’s first fully affordable housing project marks a significant step towards addressing the area’s housing needs. With the collaboration between Mercy Housing Corporation and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, this project aims to provide affordable living options for residents while enhancing the community with additional amenities.

FAQs

• Q: What is the location of the proposed affordable housing project in Marina del Rey?
  A: The project is proposed for a county-owned 90,000-square-foot parking lot at 4206 Admiralty Way.
• Q: How many units are planned for the development?
  A: The development plans for 120 units, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.
• Q: What is the eligibility criteria for residents?
  A: Residents earning between 20 and 80 percent of the county’s area median income are eligible.
• Q: How will tenants be selected?
  A: Tenants will be selected via lottery, with 30 units reserved for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Q: What are the next steps for the project?
  A: Mercy Housing needs to obtain a coastal development permit and will conduct extensive community outreach before construction begins.