Watts Works is a 25-unit permanent supportive housing community in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood. Replacing a vacant single-family home, it uses 58 modular shipping containers to create 24 micro-living studio apartments for unhoused individuals (and one on-site manager’s unit). By combining two 8’x20′ containers, each micro-unit covers 320 square feet, optimizing efficiency and reducing waste. As one of the first modular affordable housing communities in Los Angeles, the project’s modular construction reduced the schedule and budget for faster delivery of quality housing. Watts Works is one of the first HHH-funded projects in Los Angeles, as well as one of the first completed developments.

Watts Works features a versatile community space, service provider offices, laundry room, and bicycle storage. In addition, it offers ‘wrap-around’ services are provided by a non-profit partner, including on-site counseling, healthcare, and employment training. Positioned on the ground floor, the community room connects to a landscaped patio providing sidewalk activation. Exterior stairways connect open spaces on different levels, promoting cross-ventilation and physical well-being. These outdoor spaces include a backyard, tranquility garden, and rooftop patio.  

Location: Los Angeles, California
Developers: Daylight Community Development and Decro Corporation