Maybe the “third time’s the charm” at the long-neglected Jordan Down housing project in Watts.
Today, the state’s Strategic Growth Council was expected to discuss a proposed $6.5 million state grant as part of this year’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program which may assist the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) in covering the financial gap for financing the first phase of the $700 million Jordan Downs redevelopment. The development would eventually cover about 70 acres and include commercial and housing.
The project has lost out twice on federal funding. The project was rejected this summer in trying to secure a $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods program, which would have covered purchasing land and construction costs. HUD wrote a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti explaining that the grant application failed to meet “all threshold requirements” for the Choice Neighborhood fund, “and thus, was not rated.”
The first phase of the project includes 250 units of affordable housing, 100,000 square feet of retail space, and transit connection improvements. If the L.A. housing department finally gets the money, construction could begin in late 2016.
“The Jordan Downs redevelopment project is more than just a brick-and-mortar project,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino whose 15th district includes the proposed Watts-based project. He said the project will “transform” the blighted area “into a more thriving community with economic opportunities” and more access to educational and social resources.
“In order for the transformation of Jordan Downs to become a reality, grants like this one are necessary to close critical financing gaps,” Buscaino explained. “I would like to thank the Strategic Growth Council which waived the $15 million local jurisdiction cap, making more funding available for Jordan Downs.”
Doug Guthrie, president of the HACLA, said his agency is pleased with the consideration of the grant, adding, “… but what’s more, we know that the residents are eagerly awaiting partnerships such as this that will help make this project a reality.”
HUD spokesman Brian Sullivan said the competition was “extremely stiff” for this year’s Choice Neighborhoods grant program. He said HUD has reportedly received 33 applications, but only 14 met the minimum requirements including Jordan Downs. Out of these 14 applications, only nine were named finalists and will be competing for the $80 million allotted to the grant program this year.
