HUNTINGTON PARK : Condo Project Aims at First-Time Buyers

Shelby Jordan, a former offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Raiders, recalls with pride the humble family home that his father built from scrap lumber.

Now a developer devoted to residential projects in South-Central and Southeast Los Angeles, Jordan draws on this childhood memory to illustrate the importance of creating housing that low-income buyers can afford.

“People want a place to live quietly and comfortably,” Jordan said. “The crown of that is to say, ‘I own it.’ ”

One of Jordan’s most recent projects, 128 condominiums on two acres near the downtown business district, will give low-income buyers the chance to say just that. Rita Court, scheduled for groundbreaking next month at Rita and Saturn avenues, is the city’s only project for low- and moderate-income first-time home buyers, said Jack Wong, the city’s Community Development director.

The $16-million stacked condominium project will consist of two four-story buildings with two- and three-bedroom units, underground parking and a common area to be used for a child-care program. The units will be sold for $120,000 and $130,000 to buyers who have never owned a home or have not owned a home within the past three years, said Henry Gray, assistant director of community development.

Applicants’ incomes may not exceed 110% of the county median income. A family of four, for example, should have an income of no more than about $42,000.

Down payment assistance, deferred payment agreements and other subsidies from the city redevelopment agency and the Century Freeway Housing Program should make the units especially affordable, project officials said.