A groundbreaking ceremony yesterday marked the start of construction for Casa del Sol, a new apartment building from A Community of Friends that will cater to low-income seniors. 

Located at 10966 W. Ratner Street in the Sun Valley Community, 44 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments in addition to 3,500 square feet of community space and at-grade parking for 15 vehicles.

The $21.8-million development will cater to seniors at the low- and very low-income levels - meaning those who make either 50 percent or less than the area median income or 30 percent or less than the area median income.  Rents will range from as low as $473 per month for a studio to as high as $845 per month for a one-bedroom unit.

Casa del Sol is portrayed as a contemporary low-rise structure, replete with a community room and a central outdoor courtyard.  FSY Architects is designing the building.

The project is part of the first round of Measure HHH-funded affordable housing developments to break ground.

ACOF, a non-profit developer based out of Los Angeles, is also working on a proposed affordable apartment building near the Blue Line in unincorporated Florence.