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Council selects West Hollywood Community Housing to build 67 all‑affordable units on former gun‑store site
Summary
The council unanimously chose West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation to develop a 67‑unit all‑affordable building with artist live/work space and a community arts center at 11029 Washington Blvd, declared the parcel exempt surplus land and directed staff to draft an exclusive negotiating agreement.
Culver City on Jan. 27 selected West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC) to develop the city‑owned parcel at 11029 Washington Boulevard, a triangular former gun‑store site purchased by the city in 2023. The selection follows a competitive RFP process and a Planning Commission recommendation.
Staff and WHCHC representatives presented a proposal for 67 affordable units (predominantly one‑bedroom), with units targeted to households at 30–80% of area median income and a local hiring/community services component. WHCHC said it would include artist live/work lofts and a double‑height community arts space at the corner to animate the sidewalk and create programming opportunities.
Jesse Slansky, president and CEO of WHCHC, described the organization’s 40‑year track record developing and operating affordable housing across the region. EYRC architects presented designs that stage massing to put the highest volumes along Washington Boulevard and create community terraces and ground‑floor activity.
Council voted unanimously to declare the parcel exempt surplus land for affordable housing under state law and to authorize staff to negotiate an exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with WHCHC. Staff said the ENA can run up to a year and will lead into entitlement, financing (including low‑income housing tax credits), and construction if successful. WHCHC estimated a financing timeline that would enable construction to start in 2028 and occupancy by 2030, subject to funding.
Council members thanked community advocates who pushed to acquire the site and noted the public safety and housing benefits of replacing a gun‑store use with affordable housing and arts activation. Council asked staff and the developer to continue outreach to neighbors and to evaluate whether limited retail or other ground‑floor activation should be included without jeopardizing affordable‑housing financing.
