PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach, through its nonprofit affiliate The Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), on Feb. 15 awarded exclusive negotiating rights to a local developer for the construction of new townhomes in the Washington Neighborhood.

“I’m thrilled that this property will soon serve the community as much-needed housing,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Providing opportunities like this for homeownership is so important and can be such a worthwhile way to uplift our residents and set them on the path to generational stability.”

Facilitated by the Long Beach Development Services Department, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) was awarded the exclusive negotiating rights for the purchase and development of the site located at 225-227 E. 15th Street and 1510 Palmer Ct.  

“We continue to welcome the opportunity for development partners like Habitat LA to bring housing to the Downtown area,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “This project will be a valuable asset to the community and no doubt will be greatly appreciated by those low-income, first-time homebuyers who will soon call this project their home.”

Habitat LA plans to build on the site eight two-story townhomes that will be sold to low-income, first-time homebuyers. The homes will consist of three- and four-bedroom floor plans, two-car garages and private yards. The homes will be constructed using green technology and will include drought-tolerant landscaping. The project is expected to break ground in early 2024. 

“Providing affordable homeownership opportunities for Long Beach families is vitally important and The LBCIC is proud to support investments such as this,” said The LBCIC Chair Mary Castro. “We continue to appreciate the efforts that a long-time city partner like Habitat LA makes to invest in the Long Beach community.”

Habitat LA continues its progression of building homes and making homeownership accessible for local first-time, income-qualified buyers. Last month, Habitat LA was awarded negotiating rights for a new affordable townhome project in North Long Beach. And in November 2022, the City joined Habitat LA to celebrate the completion of Millennium Homes, a development that features 10 two-story townhomes in Midtown.

“Habitat continues to do a wonderful job of turning dreams of homeownership into reality and we are happy to again partner with them on an important project,” said Development Services Director Christopher Koontz. “Habitat has made a special overall investment and commitment to the Washington Neighborhood and I am proud of the City’s contribution to that effort.”

The Habitat homes will be sold using affordable loans and down payment assistance through Habitat’s unique homeownership model.

“Habitat LA has a strong 30-year relationship with the City of Long Beach and The LBCIC and is looking forward to continuing it with this new development,” said Habitat LA President and CEO Erin Rank. “Along with two other projects in the city, Habitat LA will soon have 52 new homes in Long Beach for sale to first-time homebuyers.”

In January 2023, the Long Beach City Council adopted the proclamation of a local homelessness emergency to strengthen the City’s preparedness and ability to respond to homelessness, including moving quickly and efficiently to expand housing and services. As part of this declaration, a dedicated work group has been assigned to focus on increasing housing opportunities, both permanent and temporary, that provide greater access for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

For more information on the City’s affordable housing and assistance programs, the community can visit longbeach.gov/lbds.

About Long Beach Development Services 
Serving residents, businesses and the community at large, the award-winning Long Beach Development Services Department sets a standard for high-quality, innovative urban planning and livability efforts that create more progressive and sustainable communities within the diverse City of Long Beach, CA. Through a variety of development, code enforcement, housing and neighborhood services and building activities, the Department builds a better future for the city while also honoring its unique past. For more information, visit longbeach.gov/lbds. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.