R.D. Olson Breaks Ground on $62M De Soto Affordable Housing Project

R.D. Olson Construction has officially broken ground on De Soto, a $62 million affordable housing development that will deliver 207 new residential units to Woodland Hills, addressing Los Angeles’ ongoing housing affordability crisis while advancing long-term planning goals for the Warner Center area.

Located at 6033 De Soto Ave., the project supports the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan, which aims to expand housing options, improve transit connectivity, and encourage sustainable, mixed-use development. R.D. Olson is partnering with Meta Housing Corporation, marking their fourth affordable housing collaboration and their second project within Warner Center, following the development of The Alcove.

“Los Angeles faces one of the nation's most severe affordable housing shortages, with families and working professionals priced out of safe, quality housing," said Bill Wilhelm, President of R.D. Olson Construction. "Through our expanded partnership with Meta Housing Corporation, De Soto will deliver 207 homes for families earning between 30-70% of Area Median Income. Combined with The Alcove, we're contributing over 500 units to Warner Center's transformation into a more inclusive, transit-connected community and addressing both immediate needs and long-term affordability goals.”

Project Scope and Construction Timeline

De Soto is a ground-up, seven-story residential development that will be constructed in a single phase over approximately 24 months, with completion anticipated in early 2028. In contrast, The Alcove is currently finishing its first phase while planning progresses on its second.

The 271,568-square-foot building will feature five stories of residential units above a two-level concrete podium, which will house parking. The wood-framed structure is designed to accommodate a range of household types, offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units to serve both families and single-occupancy residents.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Features

Designed to align with the Warner Center 2035 sustainability objectives, De Soto will pursue LEED certification and incorporate a suite of energy- and water-efficient features intended to reduce operating costs for residents while minimizing environmental impact. These include:

• High-efficiency HVAC systems
• Low-flow, water-saving plumbing fixtures
• Cool Roof–rated roofing materials to reduce heat absorption and cooling demand
• A high-efficiency central boiler system
• Energy-efficient building design to lower long-term utility expenses

Resident Amenities and Community Spaces

The development will include a variety of amenities designed to support family life, education, and professional advancement. Planned features include a community room with computer workstations, outdoor gathering areas, a children’s play space, and elevated courtyards aimed at fostering social interaction and community connection among residents.

Funding and Project Team

De Soto is financed through California Municipal Finance Authority Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds in combination with Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, highlighting the public-private partnerships critical to expanding affordable housing across California.

In addition to Meta Housing Corporation, the project team includes AC Martin as executive and design architect, Mark Beall and Associates as landscape architect, KE Engineering Corporation as civil engineer, TAD Engineering as mechanical engineer, and EB Structural Engineers as structural engineer.

Previous R.D. Olson and Meta Housing collaborations include Lamp Lodge in Downtown Los Angeles, Stony Oaks Apartments in Santa Rosa, and the ongoing Alcove development in Warner Center.

Originally reported by R.D. Olson.