Vertical construction underway for 70-unit affordable housing in Mid-City
Built World Los Angeles, CA localThe six-story building at 2626 Cullen St. replaces five homes and uses density bonuses to exceed zoning limits.
Overview
Vertical construction is underway at 2626 Cullen St. in Mid-City, where a six-story building with 70 affordable apartments is rising on a site that held five homes. The project uses density bonuses to exceed zoning limits, a tool Los Angeles is leaning on to accelerate housing production.
The building is one of many approved under Mayor Karen Bass's Executive Directive 1, which fast-tracks 100% affordable projects. But only a fraction of the units approved under the directive have received permits, raising questions about whether the policy can deliver at the scale the city needs.
Why it matters
Los Angeles is betting on density bonuses to speed affordable housing, but slow permitting and financing could leave thousands of approved units unbuilt.
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Key Indicators
Related Media
Affordable housing rising at 2626 Cullen St. in Mid-City | Urbanize LA
Affordable Housing Project Rising on Cullen St, Mid-City
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People Involved
Organizations Involved
Timeline
December 2022 November 2026
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Vertical construction underway at 2626 Cullen St.
Latest ConstructionCrews are building the six-story affordable housing complex in Mid-City.
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Proposal unveiled for 2625 S. Cullen St.
DevelopmentPlans filed for a six-story, 70-unit affordable building replacing five homes.
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Mayor Bass issues Executive Directive 1
PolicyDirective fast-tracks 100% affordable housing projects with density bonuses and streamlined approvals.
Scenarios
ED1 production accelerates, majority of approved units permitted by 2027
Discussed by: Housing advocates and city officials
If financing and construction keep pace, more than half of the units approved under Executive Directive 1 could receive permits by the end of 2027, showing the policy can scale.
ED1 projects stall as financing dries up
Discussed by: Real estate analysts
Rising interest rates and construction costs could leave most approved projects unbuilt, with fewer than 5,000 units permitted by mid-2027.
City expands density bonus to mixed-income projects
Discussed by: City Council members
The City Council could broaden the density bonus program beyond 100% affordable projects, allowing mixed-income developments to qualify.