The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to move forward with bond financing for two major affordable housing developments, including the transformative Esperanza Village project in El Monte. The development will repurpose the long-vacant MacLaren Hall site at 4024 Durfee Avenue into a 202-unit affordable housing community serving seniors, families, and Transitional Age Youth (TAY).

The motion, introduced by Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, authorizes the Los Angeles County Development Authority to issue up to $80 million in Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Bonds for the project. Esperanza Village is part of a broader strategy to create affordable housing on underutilized county-owned land, while also delivering supportive services to residents.

New Life for a Historic Site

The Maclaren site, which closed its doors nearly two decades ago, once served as a temporary shelter for children in crisis. The Esperanza Village project aims to bring renewal to the site through housing, healing, and community investment. The development is being led by National Community Renaissance of California and Prima Development.

“The transformation of this site into affordable housing and a community park is a symbol of my commitment to healing and hope,” said Solis during the Board’s meeting. “MacLaren Hall represents a painful chapter in our history. Esperanza Village will turn that page by creating safe, affordable homes for those who need them most.”

The project will include a mix of units for extremely low-income families, seniors, and young adults exiting foster care or homelessness. It will also offer supportive services onsite, including case management, and shared amenities such as rooftop decks, landscaped open space, and community rooms.

Funding and Oversight

The authorized bonds will be repaid by the developers and will not place any financial burden on Los Angeles County taxpayers. The Esperanza Village project is one of two developments approved under the motion, with the other being Century + Restorative Care Village Phase II in Boyle Heights. That project will add 150 units for low-income seniors near Los Angeles General Medical Center.

While both projects serve critical needs, Esperanza Village stands out for its local impact in El Monte, where housing affordability and displacement remain ongoing challenges. According to county data, a significant share of El Monte’s residents qualify as low-income, and the need for permanent affordable housing has been a central issue for the city and its community-based partners.

A Long-Term Investment in El Monte

The Esperanza Village development supports the County’s goal of increasing housing stability and preventing homelessness through long-term solutions. By combining housing with onsite services, the project is designed to help residents not just survive, but thrive.

Construction is expected to begin following permitting and financing approvals, with units anticipated to become available in phases upon project completion.

Esperanza Village El Monte marks a significant step forward in addressing the city’s housing needs while honoring its past. Supervisor Solis’ office has pledged ongoing support as the project moves from planning to reality.

“This is about making space for dignity, stability, and community,” said Solis. “It’s a promise that the mistakes of the past will not define the future.”