A new $2 billion development, Viva L.A. at Warner Center, is set to transform a Woodland Hills neighborhood into a vertical community offering affordable senior housing and assisted living services. The project, unveiled by Wellpointe, a residential assisted living and health care company, will consist of four high-rise towers ranging from 34 to 42 stories on a 4.71-acre site at 6400 Canoga Avenue. The development aims to provide 3,192 affordable residential units and 61,450 square feet of non-residential space.
Wellpointe CEO George Kutnerian stated that the project demonstrates a commitment to delivering affordable housing and assisted living services at the scale and density required by California's aging population in urban centers. This initiative aligns with Los Angeles Mayor Bass's executive directive, signed nearly four years ago, which aims to expedite permitting and regulatory processes for affordable housing and temporary shelters, significantly reducing construction costs and timelines.
Under the directive, the city can now approve completed affordable housing applications within 60 days, a substantial reduction from the previous six to nine months. Permit and utility clearance processes after construction begins are also streamlined, sometimes taking as little as five business days for affordable housing and two for temporary shelters.
Viva L.A. represents a shift for Wellpointe, which has typically developed single-family home complexes. The new vertical concept aims to adapt the core elements of its successful single-family model to an urban, high-rise setting. This pivot is attributed to the increasing difficulty in acquiring single-family homes in the area.
Eligibility for residency at Viva L.A. requires tenants to have an average income of approximately 60% of the area's median income, with estimated monthly rents around $1,749, subject to income fluctuations. Residents aged 50 and over will have private rooms with private bathrooms but will share kitchen and living spaces within their designated "neighborhoods."
Each floor will be organized into two neighborhoods, supported by staff who will prepare meals and assist residents with daily needs such as bathing and dressing. The development's non-residential component includes plans for ground-level businesses like a bank branch, convenience store, and coffee shop. Kutnerian also expressed interest in incorporating a qualified health center to offer primary care services.
Angela Kutnerian, co-founder and president of Wellpointe, emphasized that Viva L.A. is designed to integrate coordinated health, wellness, and supported living services. The vision is to create a multi-story community where affordable housing and quality care function as a single, cohesive experience, redefining the perception of aging in society.