LA Metro Hits 5,000 Affordable Homes Milestone
LA Metro reaches 5,000 affordable housing units built or planned near transit stations
LA Metro Passes 5,000-Unit Mark in Housing Push
LA Metro's passed the halfway point toward building 10,000 affordable homes on transit properties, officials said Friday. The agency's completed, started construction on, or entered negotiations for more than 5,000 housing units as part of its transit-oriented development initiative. Metro announced the milestone April 11 following the opening of its second housing development in 2024, the Los Lirios project in Boyle Heights.
Context & Background
The housing initiative aims to address LA's affordability crisis by building homes directly on Metro-owned land near transit stations. Transit-oriented development allows residents to access jobs and services without relying on personal vehicles, reducing transportation costs for low-income families. Metro's strategy focuses on creating mixed-income communities that connect underserved neighborhoods to the region's expanding rail and bus network. Officials said the program helps maximize the value of public land while increasing ridership on Metro services.
Key Details
Metro's built 2,362 apartments to date, with 3,397 additional units in the pipeline, according to the agency's announcement. The Los Lirios development in Boyle Heights represents the second project to open in 2024, though officials didn't specify how many units that development contains or when the first 2024 project opened. The 10,000-unit goal includes homes at various affordability levels, with priority given to families earning below the area's median income. Officials didn't provide a timeline for when the full 10,000 units will be completed.
Timeline & Implementation
Metro announced the milestone April 11, 2025, but didn't release a completion date for the remaining 5,000 units. The agency's opened two housing developments so far in 2024, suggesting an accelerating pace of construction. Officials said projects in the pipeline are at various stages, from early negotiations to active construction, but specific timelines for individual developments weren't provided. The agency typically works with private developers and affordable housing nonprofits to build on Metro-owned parcels.
Rider Impact & Information
The housing developments give Metro riders affordable options near transit lines, reducing commute times and transportation costs for residents. Families living in Metro-owned housing can access the region's rail and bus network directly from their neighborhoods. Officials said the initiative creates vibrant communities around transit hubs while increasing ridership on Metro services. Riders can track Metro's housing developments and transit service updates through Moovit's real-time information for LA Metro routes.
