A new affordable housing development is taking shape in downtown Baldwin Park, promising to expand access to stable housing for working families in the San Gabriel Valley. The Esteban E. Torres Village, a 51-unit project at 14617 Ramona Boulevard, is expected to be completed in early 2026.
A Community-Focused Design
Developed by the Cesar Chavez Foundation and designed by Onyx Architects, the four-story building will feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom units arranged around a landscaped courtyard. The project includes 48 subterranean parking spaces, seven of which are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Fifteen percent of the units are reserved for mobility-impaired residents.
Plans call for a community room, residents’ lounge, rooftop terraces, bicycle storage, and laundry facilities. The building’s design emphasizes open spaces and natural light, creating what the architects describe as a “welcoming and secure environment” for tenants.
Affordable Housing Through Voucher Partnerships
Nearly all of the Esteban E. Torres Village units are part of a project-based voucher program that attaches housing assistance to the unit rather than the tenant, ensuring long-term affordability. Only one unit in the complex is not tied to a voucher. According to project representatives, the tenant waitlist for the voucher program has closed due to high demand.
For many Baldwin Park families, the development represents an opportunity to live near public transit, schools, and essential city services. The site sits across from the Baldwin Park Metrolink Station and within walking distance of Morgan Park, the Baldwin Park Community Center, City Hall, and Baldwin Park High School.
Part of a Broader Local Investment
The Cesar Chavez Foundation has been active in developing affordable housing across Southern California. The organization completed a similar project in El Monte in 2022 and continues to focus on transit-accessible locations that support residents’ access to jobs, education, and community resources.
City leaders have praised the Baldwin Park project as a key step in addressing regional housing needs. “This type of development is exactly what our community needs—quality, affordable homes near transit and schools,” a city housing official said.
Construction crews are currently finishing exterior work, and the interior units are expected to be move-in ready in the first quarter of 2026.
A Tribute to Community and Legacy
The development is named in honor of Esteban E. Torres, a longtime congressman and labor advocate from East Los Angeles whose career centered on civil rights and community empowerment. Foundation representatives said the building’s name reflects its mission to provide families with safe, affordable places to live while recognizing Torres’ contributions to working-class communities.
Housing Stability in the San Gabriel Valley
Baldwin Park’s investment in affordable housing mirrors broader efforts across the San Gabriel Valley to balance growth with accessibility. With the Metrolink Station and multiple bus lines nearby, residents of the new complex will have easy access to employment centers throughout Los Angeles County.
By emphasizing affordability and community design, the Esteban E. Torres Village underscores how transit-oriented housing can strengthen neighborhoods and reduce the strain on local families facing high rental costs.
When completed, the development is expected to stand as a model for collaborative, community-based housing—one that honors local heritage while looking toward a more inclusive future for Baldwin Park.
For more information about the project, visit Onyx Architects.
