Construction has commenced on The Umeya, an affordable housing project in Los Angeles. Undertaken by Little Tokyo Service Center, the project will be built on the former site of the Umeya Rice Cake Company at 412-426 South Crocker Street.
The structure will be seven stories tall. It will house 175 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. These apartments will be priced for low-, very low-, and extremely low-income people. Additionally, half of the flats will be used as long-term supportive housing, providing previously homeless people with a full range of services.
Features and amenities
In addition to the affordable housing, The Umeya Project in Los Angeles will have a 13,000 sq. ft. of community, commercial, and service provider space. In addition, it will feature a 4,000 sq. ft. landscaped courtyard, a community-led mural by Skid Row artist Showzart.
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Finally, the development will have an exhibit honoring the Hamano family which started the Umeya Rice Cake Co. in Little Tokyo in the 1920s. Some of the family’s artifacts are being preserved at the Japanese American National Museum.
Commentary on the Umeya project in Los Angeles
“It is important to be able to help solve the housing affordability crisis in a location significant to the histories of Little Tokyo and Skid Row. We’re grateful for our relationship with the Skid Row community. Additionally, we are grateful for our Little Tokyo neighborhood and the Umeya family.
Furthermore, we’re excited to keep collaborating to bring about positive change.” said Takao Suzuki. She director of community development for LTSC, in a statement published on the LTSC website.
