Isla Intersections is a transformative new permanent supportive housing development that reinvests in South Los Angeles and builds community at the intersection of the 110 and 105 freeways. Isla will transform a city-owned property at 283 W. Imperial Highway and provide 53 apartments for individuals who have experienced homelessness, with 10 of these apartments reserved for homeless military veterans. Isla Intersections was designed by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects and will be constructed entirely from shipping containers. Each apartment will be comprised of three shipping containers that will be erected on-site within a remarkable 30-day time period. Typical multifamily built construction takes 18-24 months today. Isla Intersection’s total construction time is estimated to take 12 months. In addition to providing providing affordable and equitable housing, this development uses an innovative approach to address longstanding community concerns.
Isla will bring the community together by including the shared street and public space. The Annenberg Paseo is a public park designed to increase traffic safety and will be lined with community-serving commercial spaces. Just north of Harbor Gateway, Athens Way between W. 113th Street and Imperial Highway is an ideal space for the shared street, which will reduce vehicular speeds to 5 miles per hour and improve traffic safety. The Paseo will function as a central hub, cultivating a space for long-time members of the community to gather for events such as street fairs, farmers markets, and entertainment. The Annenberg Paseo will provide lush landscaping, comprised of trees and irrigated by a greywater system, will reduce air, noise, and light pollution from the surrounding freeways. This public park will provide much-needed tree canopy in a neighborhood highly impacted by climate change and heat islands. Trees such as Camphor and California Bay Laurel will break down pollutants and serve as an organic example for development next to freeways. These factors make Isla Intersections the first of its kind in Los Angeles.
The development also serves to address some of the needs of local residents. Onsite supportive social services such as job training, mental health services, counseling, and life skills will be provided. Isla is one of many capital projects designed to re-invest in City Council District Eight neighborhoods after decades of neglect.
Looking for affordable housing? Visit housing.lacity.org.
Development team:
- Clifford Beers Housing
- American Family Housing
- Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects
- GEIS Construction
- Levine Management Group
Funders
- Enterprise Housing Credit Investments
- Housing and Community Investment Dept of the City of LA - Measure HHH
- Key Bank
- The Annenberg Foundation
- Genesis LA Economic Growth Corporation
- Corporation for Supportive Housing
- The Home Depot Foundation
- Housing Authority of the City of LA project-based Section 8 vouchers
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers