Maywood Moves Forward with Proposed 61-Unit Affordable Housing Project
Maywood, CA — A proposed 61-unit housing development for low-income residents in Maywood is moving forward.
The Maywood City Council approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) to “sell or otherwise transfer” city-owned property to develop an affordable housing project. The agreement was approved by unanimous vote at a City Council meeting on Feb. 26.
Steve Hernandez, CCF Director of Business Development, outlined the annual income requirements for housing eligibility. Qualifying families of four, according to Hernandez, would earn between “$41,600 and $83,200” annually.
Hernandez also provided details on the rent ranges for eligible tenants. Rent for a one-bedroom unit will range from “$780 to $1,560,” while two-bedroom units will cost between “$936 and $1,800.” Three-bedroom units will have rents ranging from “$1,881 to $2,160.”
The development is planned for three city-owned properties–totalling roughly 0.8 acres–near the corner of District Boulevard and Cudahy Avenue. All rental units will be reserved for income-qualified tenants, with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments available. One unit will be set aside for the property manager.
Councilmember Eddie De La Riva celebrated the agreement, calling it a “big win” for a community “heavily burdened by rent.”
In 2021, 63% of renter households in Maywood spent at least 30% of their income on housing costs, a threshold the Department of Housing and Urban Development defines as rent burdened, according to the Southern California Association of Governments. Additionally, 31% of renters spent 50% or more of their income on rent, classifying them as severely rent burdened.
The project also represents a striking shift for a city government once hobbled by allegations of corruption, De La Riva argued from the dais.
“It speaks volumes to our staff, to my colleagues, who remained committed to our community,” he said. “Unlike the previous administration, who were just looking out for themselves and looking to turn this property into a damn bingo hall.”
Former Mayor Ramon Medina, a political foe of De La Riva, is currently facing over a dozen criminal charges relating to corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, and conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that Medina and his cohorts, among other schemes, planned to convert city properties into a “24/7 charitable bingo hall” and pocket a cut of the profits.
The proposed project remains in its early planning stages. Maywood must complete regulatory requirements under the California Surplus Land Act before transferring the property.
The approved agreement grants CCF a 12-month exclusive period to finalize project plans, secure financing, and conduct feasibility studies. The City Manager may extend the timeline by up to six months if necessary.
If negotiations proceed as planned, construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with completion projected for mid-2028. A final Disposition and Development Agreement, outlining the terms and conditions for developing the site within a reasonable timeframe, is subject to council approval.
CCF has built or renovated over 5,000 affordable multi-family units in more than 39 communities across 4 states, according to their website. Hernandez said CCF is pursuing similar projects in neighboring South Gate, El Monte, and Montebello.
