Willowbrook Wellness Campus Wins County Land-Use Approvals: Affordable Homes, University Space and Recreation Planned

WILLOWBROOK, Los Angeles County — October 28, 2026. A long-discussed mixed-use development beside Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science cleared major county planning milestones in 2026. The planned CDU Wellness & Education Campus aims to combine affordable homes, university and research facilities, student and employee housing, recreation and public open space in unincorporated Willowbrook.

What approvals were granted?

Project partner Century Housing reported on July 1 that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors had approved key land-use entitlements, certified environmental review and approved a long-term ground lease. The county’s September 15, 2026 Board agenda also includes adoption items for the relevant specific-plan and development-agreement ordinances. These records represent meaningful progress through planning requirements; they are not evidence that all buildings have been constructed or leased.

What would the campus include?

Century’s current project outline describes up to 254 affordable homes for eligible families, seniors and other residents, as well as separate housing for students and university employees. The proposed campus also includes 121,000 square feet of offices, laboratories and bioscience space, a gymnasium and indoor swimming pool, multi-use athletic facilities, a parking structure and publicly oriented gardens and plazas.

Published materials use somewhat different totals for some student and workforce housing components as designs evolve. This report therefore does not combine all figures into an unsupported final construction count. The adopted county entitlements and any later amended approved plans should be consulted for a definitive unit schedule.

Where would it be?

County planning records place the project at and around 1667 East 118th Street, Willowbrook, CA 90059, on land associated with the existing university and adjacent sites. The effort involves Los Angeles County, Compton Unified School District, Charles R. Drew University and Century Housing through the development partnership.

What happens next?

Land-use approvals allow the developers to work toward financing, permits and eventual construction. Residents may want to monitor phased construction impacts, traffic and parking arrangements, affordability requirements, public access to recreational spaces and local hiring plans. The county’s project page also describes environmental and entitlement work, so the latest Board action and signed conditions should be used when reconciling older web summaries.

Sources

Century Housing — July 1, 2026 project milestone; LA County Department of Economic Opportunity — Willowbrook Wellness Campus; LA County Board of Supervisors — September 15 agenda. This article does not represent anticipated homes as currently available apartments.

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