Yesterday, local and state officials joined with the nonprofit developer LINC Housing Corporation to announce the start of construction for Mosaic Gardens at Westlake, a new affordable housing complex on the outskirts of Downtown Los Angeles.

The approximately $57-million development, located on a 1.2-acre site at the southwest corner of Beverly Boulevard and Lucas Avenue, will consist of five- and six-story structures featuring 125 residential units reserved for formely homeless families and households making between 30% and 60% of the Los Angeles area median income.  Rents will range from as low as $398 per month for a one-bedroom unit, to as high as $1,295 per month for a three-bedroom apartment. 

Through a partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and the Ocean Park Community Center, LINC will be able to offer future residents on-site mental and physical health services, employment counselng and job placement, education, substance abuse counseling, money management, assistance in obtaining and maintaining benefits and referrals to community-based services and resources.  Plans also call for amenities such as a laundry room, a subterranean parking garage, two courtyards, a community room, a community garden, a computer lab and a playground.

The project, which is being designed by Lahmon Architects, will include a variety of environmentally-friendly elements in an effort to obtain LEED Platinium Certification.  Planned fatures included high-efficiency heating and air conditioning, drought tolerant landscaping, a storm water management system, bicycle parking and EnergyStar appliances.

Walton Construction Services expect to complete work on Mosaic Gardens by mid-2018.