LOS ANGELES—The Killefer Flammang Architects-designed Janet L. Witkin Center has opened its doors. Located at 937 N. Fairfax Ave. in West Hollywood, the 17-unit multifamily development will serve local low-income and formerly homeless senior residents in the area.

The five-story property was under development five years. The property has 17 one-bedroom apartment units and two community rooms, as well as a courtyard and open walkways for outdoor space. KFA designed the property with green building standards, which earned a LEED certification. The building exterior has tone porcelain tiles and metal panels. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky described the exterior at the grand opening event, saying, “The handsome exterior design creates a striking focal point on Fairfax Ave., enhancing and enlivening this major thoroughfare.”

Because the property serves formerly homeless seniors and low-income residents, the design is also intended to increase neighbor interaction through a year-round community garden and a social front porch that connects the property to the street front.

The Los Angeles market is in need of affordable housing, which is experiencing a shortage, and this property is helping to fill that void. “The project also enriches our community by providing a supportive living environment for some of our most vulnerable citizens,” adds Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. At a recent USC Casden conference, community leaders talked about the high demand for affordable housing, saying that the mixed-use model is another option that works well because it is easier to get funding.