The Santa Monica City Council has officially approved a development and disposition agreement allowing EAH Housing to advance plans for a 122-unit, $123 million affordable housing project at 1318 4th St.
According to a report from Urbanize, construction at the former site of Parking Structure 3 is slated to commence in Winter 2027, with completion anticipated by 2029.
The project will feature a six-story building housing 122 residential units, including a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Notably, 50 of these units will be designated as supportive housing, aimed at providing essential services to vulnerable populations, according to the report. The ground floor will accommodate commercial spaces, while the development includes subterranean parking for 116 vehicles.
This initiative is part of Santa Monica’s broader commitment to affordable housing, as the apartments will be reserved for individuals and families earning at or below 30 percent to 80 percent of the area median income. Prospective residents will be sourced from the city’s waitlists, ensuring the units are allocated to those most in need.
The project’s approximately $123 million cost, makes it potentially the first affordable or supportive housing development in Los Angeles County to exceed $1 million per dwelling unit. EAH Housing, alongside a team that includes VTBS Architects, Epstein & Associates, AMJ Construction Management, California Housing Partnership and The Lynch Group, Inc., is tasked with the development.
The expedited timeline marks a significant shift from earlier estimates in April 2024, which suggested that construction might not begin until 2028, with a completion date pushed to 2030.
In January 2022, The Registry reported the Santa Monica City Council reviewed proposals from seven developers before selecting EAH for their commitment to affordable housing. The company worked with the city to negotiate terms and conditions for the development of the City-owned land.
Preliminary renderings from VTBS Architects depicted two levels of subterranean parking as well as various amenities, including a fitness center and rooftop terrace. Along with VTBS Architects, EAH opted to work with local social service agency The People Concern to develop the supportive housing elements and AMJ Construction Management to complete the project.
In addition to this project, Santa Monica has identified various city-owned sites for future affordable or supportive housing developments as part of its 2021-2029 Housing Element, according to the report. Potential locations include parking lots along the Wilshire corridor and sites at the Bergamot Arts Center, Main Street, and the intersection of 4th Street and Arizona Avenue.
This latest development underscores Santa Monica’s ongoing efforts to address the pressing need for affordable housing in the region, reflecting a commitment to enhancing community well-being and inclusivity.
