Los Angeles County Advances Transformational Charles R. Drew University Expansion with Affordable Housing and Community Investments
LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the final land use entitlements for the Charles R. Drew University (CDU) Willowbrook Wellness Campus, clearing the way for a transformational expansion that will bring over 250 affordable housing units, educational facilities, workforce development opportunities, and new community amenities to the unincorporated Willowbrook community.
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents Willowbrook in Los Angeles County’s Second District, said, “For decades, Charles R. Drew University has been a beacon of opportunity, training healthcare professionals who understand the needs of historically underserved communities. CDU’s mission is deeply aligned with our shared vision for a healthier, more equitable Los Angeles County. The Wellness Campus is a once-in-a-generation investment that strengthens the University’s future while creating affordable housing, expanding educational opportunities, generating economic growth, and delivering lasting benefits for the South LA region.”
Located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, Charles R. Drew University is a private, nonprofit institution. It is one of only four Historically Black Medical Colleges in the United States and the only federally designated Historically Black Graduate Institution (HBGI) west of the Mississippi River. Today’s action represents a landmark investment in one of Los Angeles County’s premier institutions dedicated to advancing health equity and educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Charles R. Drew University President Dr. David R. Carlisle said, “The Wellness & Education Campus is a catalyst for community transformation and a once-in-a-generation investment in Willowbrook. We know that healthy communities are built by creating environments that promote holistic wellness and expand access and opportunity. By bringing education, affordable housing, research, recreation, and healthcare together in one place, we are creating a vibrant neighborhood hub where individuals and families can thrive. CDU is proud to lead this visionary initiative—one that will strengthen the health, well-being, and economic vitality of Willowbrook while improving the lives of generations to come.”
The Charles R. Drew University Wellness Campus will include:
- 250 affordable housing units for families, developed by Century Housing;
- 200 affordable student housing units;
- 50 affordable faculty and workforce housing units;
- More than 121,000 square feet of offices, laboratories, and bioscience space;
- A gymnasium and indoor swimming pool;
- A multi-purpose athletic field;
- A 700-space parking structure; and
- A central campus promenade connecting the campus and surrounding community.
Century Housing, a nonprofit developer, will lead the affordable housing component of the project, with construction expected to begin in 2027. “I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for its support of this transformative project,” said Oscar Alvarado, Senior Vice President at Century Housing. “Through the Charles Drew Wellness Campus, we have the privilege of bringing 254 affordable homes for families and seniors to Willowbrook while helping realize a shared vision for a campus that will serve as a community asset for generations to come.”
As part of today’s action, the Board also certified the project’s environmental review, finding it complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The approximately 14-acre project site is primarily owned by the Compton Unified School District (CUSD), with an additional parcel owned by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) designated for the future parking structure. Today’s action also authorizes a joint 99-year ground lease among CDU, LACDA, and CUSD, providing the University with long-term site control to develop the Willowbrook Wellness Campus.
“Our primary mission is to ensure this once-underutilized property is developed to provide new educational opportunities, community resources, and lasting support for our students and the broader community,” said Dr. Shannon Soto, Chief Operations Officer of the Compton Unified School District. “This project advances that mission and represents an important investment in educational infrastructure, community wellness, and equitable development in Willowbrook.”
