LTSC gets $30M for Crocker Apartments in DTLA

Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) and the City of Los Angeles have been awarded $30-million the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program for the Crocker Apartments, a new affordable and supportive housing complex in Downtown, the non-profit developer and service provider announced this week.

“This AHSC award is a key piece of the puzzle to start construction in the next year,” said Debbie Chen, director of real estate at LTSC.

View from Towne AvenueFSY Architects

The project primed to break ground in 2023 is a seven-story building at 414 S. Crocker Street, which will create 175 apartments studio, one-, and two-bedroom units - priced for households at the low- and extremely low-income levels - above 8,700 square feet of ground-floor retail space and subterranean parking for 29 vehicles. Residents will also have access to on-site services provided by the Downtown Women's Center.

FSY Architects is designing the Crocker development, which will have a V-shaped foot print, creating space for two courtyards at street level.

“Building affordable and permanent supportive housing are proven methods to keep people off the streets. As LTSC helps take on the homelessness and housing crisis, we are committed to collaborating with community members to lend a hand to everyone impacted by it,” said LTSC's executive director Erich Nakano.

LTSC, acquired the Umeya Rice Cake Co. property for $8.4 million in 2019 - roughly two years after the marker of senbei and other confections ceased operations. The non-profit developer and service provider is also planning supportive housing projects adjacent to the Japanese American National Museum and on land next to Vermont/Santa Monica Station in East Hollywood.

412-426 S. Crocker StreetGoogle Maps

“Right now, LA is languishing from the need for more affordable housing. This $30 million grant will give us more of what the City desperately needs -- permanent affordable housing units for those living on our streets, especially in Little Tokyo and Skid Row,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin De León in a statement.