Sankofa Place Breaks Ground in Inglewood: 120 Affordable Apartments and a New Community Center

Construction has begun on Sankofa Place at Centinela, a mixed-use affordable housing development at 400 Centinela Avenue in Inglewood. The approximately $44 million project includes 120 affordable apartments and a new 25,000-square-foot facility for the Social Justice Learning Institute. Construction began in late October 2026, with completion anticipated in 2028.

What is Sankofa Place at Centinela?

Sankofa Place combines income-restricted rental housing with community program space. The project is designed to serve qualifying households and give the Social Justice Learning Institute a permanent home, rather than functioning as a conventional market-rate apartment complex.

Who is developing Sankofa Place?

The development partners are Venice Community Housing, Linc Housing, and the Social Justice Learning Institute. The architectural team includes Aero Collective and The Architects Collective. The design brings together housing and a dedicated nonprofit headquarters.

How much affordable housing will it provide?

The 120 apartments are intended for households earning between 30% and 80% of area median income. Eligibility will depend on household size, program rules, and income limits in effect when applications open. These homes should not be confused with unrestricted market-rate rentals.

How is the development financed?

The project is estimated at approximately $44 million and includes a $7.5 million construction loan from the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency, known as LACAHSA. Other state and local funding sources also support the project. Income restrictions can make affordable housing finance more complex than conventional rental development. Funding milestones are important, but construction risks remain.

What community facilities are planned?

The Social Justice Learning Institute is expected to occupy approximately 25,000 square feet, supporting its education, health, and community well-being programs. Combining homes and community services may shape how the finished project interacts with nearby streets and businesses.

Are transportation improvements included?

Reported associated improvements include a new east-west bikeway parallel to Florence Avenue and funding for electric buses. This project is part of a broader picture of public investment in Inglewood, which has seen significant infrastructure work in recent years, including the $261 million mobility improvements near SoFi Stadium and the K Line. The usefulness of these investments will depend on final design, connections, and operation.

When will Sankofa Place be completed?

Construction began in October 2026 and completion is anticipated in 2028. That is a projected timeline, not a guarantee. Material costs, labor, weather, and other issues can affect schedules.

What does it mean for Inglewood's housing market?

The project adds 120 income-restricted homes to the local supply, but it is not a direct measure of market-rate rent trends. Investors and landlords should distinguish regulated affordable housing from unrestricted rental competition. Broader inventory, demand, and economic conditions matter.

Could nearby property values change?

There is no reliable basis to assume an automatic increase or decrease in values. Construction may temporarily affect traffic or noise; completed community facilities and transportation improvements may affect how people use the area. The effects differ by property. Comparable sales remain more useful than speculative premiums.

What should owners watch next?

Monitor construction milestones, community-facility completion, transportation implementation, and the eventual leasing process. The wider Inglewood development pipeline provides more useful context than one project alone.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sankofa Place? 400 Centinela Avenue, Inglewood, California.

How many apartments will it have? 120 affordable apartments.

Who qualifies? The project is intended for households at 30% to 80% of area median income, subject to program rules.

When will it finish? Completion is currently anticipated in 2028.

Who are the development partners? Venice Community Housing, Linc Housing, and the Social Justice Learning Institute.

Paul's perspective

Sankofa Place combines housing, community services, and transportation investment. It is a reminder that housing delivery requires financing, construction, and long-term operations, not just an approval. I would monitor actual progress rather than assume a particular effect on nearby values.