KALMIA ROSE IN FULL BLOOM: BRIDGE Housing and HACLA Celebrate Grand Opening of Newest Affordable Housing Community in Watts
The modern development provides 76 apartment homes at the historic Los Angeles public housing community within the $1 billion Jordan Downs redevelopment, with more than half reserved for existing Jordan Downs residents
BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer on the West Coast, and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) were joined by other financing, service, and community partners today to celebrate the grand opening of Kalmia Rose, the latest affordable housing community in the $1 billion redevelopment of the historic Jordan Downs public housing complex in Watts.
At the ribbon-cutting, HACLA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez welcomed BRIDGE Housing leadership, Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator William Spencer, local dignitaries, project partners, Kalmia Rose residents, and community members.
“As the seventh phase of redevelopment at Jordan Downs, Kalmia Rose adds 76 new homes to the largest affordable housing redevelopment project in Los Angeles history," Castro Ramirez said. "Alongside new retail shops that create jobs and spur local economic growth, this $54 million investment is part of a broader transformation that is revitalizing not just Jordan Downs, but the community of Watts as a whole. I’m incredibly proud of this progress, and deeply grateful to the residents of this community and to our federal, state, local, and private partners who share our commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and building pathways to stability and long-term success.”
Kalmia Rose exemplifies BRIDGE Housing and HACLA’s commitment to high-quality design and deep community engagement to help reimagine and transform a housing community that once epitomized inner-city underinvestment into a model urban village offering mixed-income housing, green spaces, retail, and support services for low-income residents.
The new, fully leased property features 76 new apartment homes, including 61 that are affordable for families earning 30%-60% of Area Median Income and 14 market-rate units, along with one manager’s unit. More than half of the units are reserved for current Jordan Downs residents, ensuring that families can stay rooted in their community while gaining access to modern, amenity-rich housing.
“The opening of Kalmia Rose is a milestone in a decade-long effort to transform Jordan Downs into a thriving, inclusive community,” said BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard. “We’re honored to stand with our partners to mark this latest step in delivering on our promise to provide beautiful affordable housing, expanded opportunity for residents, and lasting investment in Watts.”
Kalmia Rose is BRIDGE Housing’s third new community at Jordan Downs, following Cedar Grove (115 apartments) and Park Place (80 apartments). BRIDGE is planning additional new communities as part of the sweeping overhaul, led by HACLA.
Located at 9704 and 9808 S. Kalmia St., Kalmia Rose is one block from the new transit stop at the Jordan Downs Plaza retail center on Century Boulevard and near a medical clinic, pharmacy, high school, and public library. With three- and four-story residential buildings around landscaped courtyards, Kalmia Rose offers apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms, expansive courtyard decks, and amenities such as a community room with a full kitchen, laundry lounges, and bike storage.
“Kalmia Rose highlights the power of public-private collaboration to both conceive and achieve a bold vision for Jordan Downs, the largest housing redevelopment project in L.A.’s history,” said HACLA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez. “We are proud to work with partners like BRIDGE Housing that share our goal of building quality communities that uplift residents and address our city’s housing needs.”
Jordan Downs was built in the 1940s as semi-permanent housing for workers during World War II and converted into public housing the following decade. HACLA, BRIDGE Housing, and The Michaels Organization have partnered to redevelop the original 700-unit enclave into a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood that benefits residents as well as the surrounding Watts neighborhood. One of the largest urban redevelopment investments in the nation, Jordan Downs will ultimately include more than 1,500 homes, a 115,000-square-foot retail center, and nine acres of open space.
Kalmia Rose reflects BRIDGE Housing and HACLA’s community-first approach to affordable housing development through extensive engagement with residents to receive their input and ensure their needs are supported. Demolition was done without displacing Jordan Downs residents, and the construction process involved several partnerships that delivered hands-on job training and apprenticeships, local hiring, and youth development.
“We are proud to play a leading role on the team that is bringing profound and lasting impact to Jordan Downs,” said Sierra Atilano, Chief Real Estate Officer at BRIDGE Housing. “Kalmia Rose is a shining example of an affordable housing development that respects the community’s heritage while offering residents a more hopeful future.”
Karina Pimental, a single mother with four children, has lived in the legacy Jordan Downs community for the past 23 years. As part of the Jordan Downs redevelopment, BRIDGE and its partners have committed to one-for-one replacement of existing units to ensure all residents currently in Jordan Downs housing have the opportunity to move into a new home. Last winter, Karina moved into her new apartment at Kalmia Rose with three of her children.
“I am so happy to live in a place where my children and I can feel safe and supported,” said Karina. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this beautiful community that I am proud to call home.”
Proudly, the project team exceeded its goal of hiring local workers and small businesses who meet low-income requirements and local residency requirements. More than 56% of labor hours for demolition and the construction of Kalmia Rose were performed by 140 workers under HUD’s Section 3 program for low-income earners – far exceeding the 25% benchmark. Nearly $10 million in business subcontracting was awarded to Section 3 businesses, according to HACLA.
“Having the opportunity to help build Kalmia Rose has meant more than just a paycheck. It’s been a chance to be part of something bigger and contribute to the positive changes happening in my own community,” said Derrick Combs, a Jordan Downs resident. “I am proud that I helped create a place where my friends, family, and neighbors can thrive, right here at Jordan Downs.”
El Nido Family Centers, a nonprofit that has served Los Angeles since 1925, is coordinating on-site services, including distributing food, organizing community social events, and connecting Kalmia Rose residents with a range of professionals to support their stability, well-being, and economic opportunity.
One standout program that includes Kalmia Rose residents is an innovative partnership between BRIDGE Housing and Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for a summer program that offers high school students hands-on welding and construction training, a paycheck, and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications.
Kalmia Rose was designed by architecture firm KTGY, and the general contractor was Portrait Construction. In addition to HACLA, BRIDGE Housing’s financial partners included Wells Fargo, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (CNI), and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
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About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing Corporation is a leading nonprofit owner, developer, and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE Housing has participated in the creation of more than 22,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon and Washington, with a total development cost of $6 billion. Its current $4 billion portfolio totals more than 14,500 apartments that are home to more than 30,000 residents, with more than 10,000 additional units in the development and acquisition pipelines. For more information, visit bridgehousing.com.
About HACLA
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), established in 1938, provides affordable housing, rental assistance, and supportive services to more than 200,000 Angelenos. Its administrative portfolio includes 164 properties - 13 of which are public housing developments - totaling over 12,000 units, along with more than 60,000 Housing Vouchers and Certificates through the Section 8 program. For more information, visit hacla.org.
