A new chapter in supportive housing began in El Monte on May 14, when Linc Housing, joined by California Senator Susan Rubio, Los Angeles County leaders, and City of El Monte officials, celebrated the grand opening of Willow Way. The 39-home development offers stable housing to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness.

Located in the heart of El Monte, Willow Way is more than housing—it’s a foundation for healing. Designed with community and dignity in mind, the site includes a community room, computer workstations, case management offices, a courtyard, and a rooftop deck. The name, Willow Way, was chosen for the willow tree’s symbolism of resilience and strength.

“This is more than just housing,” said Senator Rubio during the ceremony. “It’s proof of what can be built when cities and governments collaborate. We created tools like the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust because cities needed action, not just promises.”

Services for Long-Term Stability

All Willow Way residents were referred through Los Angeles County’s Coordinated Entry System and now benefit from a full suite of wraparound services provided through the Department of Health Services’ Housing for Health program. These services include case management, mental and physical healthcare, job training, financial education, and substance use counseling.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis praised the project as a model of integrated support. “Willow Way shows how supportive housing, paired with essential services, fosters stability and growth,” she said. “This project will change lives in El Monte and across the San Gabriel Valley.”

One of those lives is Martha’s. After being evicted and living out of her car with her 12-year-old daughter, she was connected with interim housing and then offered a permanent home at Willow Way. Now, her daughter is back in school, and Martha, recovering from multiple back surgeries, is planning to return to nursing school.

Investment and Inclusion in the San Gabriel Valley

Willow Way was developed with funding from multiple sources. The City of El Monte contributed $700,000 in HOME funds, the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust provided $1.56 million, and Los Angeles County added $5 million through the Development Authority. Other financing partners include Capital One, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, and Raymond James Tax Credit Funds.

Construction began in March 2023 and was completed in early 2025. Designed by KFA Architecture and built by Walton Construction, the project also emphasizes economic inclusion. Through a partnership with PV Jobs, the project surpassed its diversity hiring goals. Seventeen percent of subcontracting dollars were awarded to Minority Business Enterprises, and 23 percent went to other historically underrepresented business categories.

Suny Lay Chang, president and COO of Linc Housing, said Willow Way is already living up to its purpose. “Our residents are not just finding shelter—they’re building community and beginning to heal,” she said. “This is what it means to create a place where people can truly put down roots.”

Wraparound Services Anchor Willow Way Housing

The need for supportive housing like Willow Way is clear. According to the 2023 homeless count, the San Gabriel Valley saw a 7.5% increase in homelessness from the previous year. Leaders across the region view this project as a key step in addressing that crisis.

“This development is about hope,” said SGV Regional Housing Trust Chair Jed Leano. “It’s about turning plans into places—places where people feel safe, seen, and supported.”

As cities across Los Angeles County work to address homelessness, Willow Way serves as an example of what’s possible when collaboration, funding, and community-centered design come together.

The City of El Monte, long impacted by the regional housing crisis, now stands as a partner in solutions, helping to shape a future where every resident has a place to call home.

For residents, officials, and advocates alike, Willow Way marks more than a ribbon-cutting—it signals a pathway forward.