Cut the Red Tape: Mayor Bass Celebrates Koreatown’s First ED1 Affordable Housing Grand Opening
Los Angeles city leaders and neighborhood advocates gathered in Koreatown on Thursday to mark a major milestone in the city’s fight against housing unaffordability.
A brand-new 80-unit apartment complex located at 611 S. Hobart Boulevard, officially celebrated its grand opening. The seven-story building represents a landmark achievement: it is the very first Koreatown affordable housing project completed under Mayor Karen Bass’s Executive Directive 1 (ED1), cutting the typical bureaucratic timeline down to just two years from initial permitting to final inspection.
Mayor Karen Bass joined Councilmember Heather Hutt (District 10), Board of Public Works Commissioner Steve Kang, and local community organizers to tour the building and celebrate the rapid turnaround.
How ED1 Fast-Tracked 80 Homes in Record Time
Signed by Mayor Bass shortly after taking office in late 2022, Executive Directive 1 streamlines city approvals for 100% affordable housing developments by bypassing discretionary reviews, public hearings, and lengthy City Council debates.
For developer Leo Lee of Atto Properties, who grew up in Koreatown, the expedited process proved game-changing. By removing administrative hurdles that usually drag projects out for years, the developer took the project from blueprints to move-in readiness in just 24 months.
Atto on Hobart: Property Breakdown
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Location: 611 S. Hobart Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
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Total Units: 80 units (73 one-bedroom apartments, 7 studios)
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Eligibility: Households earning 80% to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI)
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Development Timeline: 2 years from permitting to completion
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Income Verification: Handled via the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD)
“Today’s grand opening represents a tangible victory in solving LA’s biggest challenge: housing affordability,” Mayor Bass stated during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We will continue refining administrative processes to deliver more affordable homes even faster.”
Relief for One of LA’s Densest Neighborhoods
The arrival of 80 dedicated units brings much-needed relief to Koreatown, one of the most densely populated urban centers in Los Angeles, where population density exceeds 39,000 residents per square mile.
With approximately 90% of Koreatown residents renting their homes and one in four households experiencing overcrowding, expanding the supply of Koreatown affordable housing is a critical safety net for seniors, working families, and young professionals trying to stay rooted in their community.
Lee shared that the building’s name carries special meaning. “The name of the project is Atto—a Korean word that means ‘gift’ or ‘thank you,'” Lee explained. “We wanted this development to be a true gift to the neighborhood that raised me.”
Applications are currently being processed through the Los Angeles Housing Department, with the first tenants expected to move in as early as this month.
The Road Ahead for LA Housing
With Atto on Hobart serving as proof of concept, housing advocates hope this fast-track model will encourage more developers to build income-restricted projects across Los Angeles.
