A half-acre site next to the Downtown Women's Center (DWC) could be developed with permanent supportive housing, according to a motion introduced last week by 14th District Councilmember Jose Huizar. 

The property, a city-owned parking lot at the northeast corner of 5th and San Pedro Streets, provides 35 parking stalls for the DWC under a covenant agreement.  The 41-year-old non-profit has first right of refusal over any sale of the lot.

Seven years ago, DWC was in the process of taking control of the site from CRA/LA, which previously owned the property.  However, the dissolution of the statewide redevelopment agencies kept this transfer from occurring, and the property instead came under the control of the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department in 2015.

As the property was purchased by the City of Los Angeles using CRA low- and moderate-income housing funds, it must be developed with affordable housing, though the DWC's parking covenant would need to be revised.  The Council Office intends to partner with DWC to potentially redevelop the site with homeless housing and related facilities.

The project would be the latest in a series of permanent supportive housing developments to rise along San Pedro Street.  At the opposite corner of 5th and San Pedro, SRO Housing Corporation completed the 108-unit Gateway Apartments in 2013.  A block south at 6th Street, the Weingart Center expects to break ground later this year on a pair of high-rise affordable developments next to its existing facility.