Rent From $1,062 a Month: How LA Families Can Get on the Waitlist for New Affordable Apartments in Boyle Heights
HVN on Mathews is a brand-new affordable apartment building at 121 N. Mathews St. in Boyle Heights, with two-bedroom homes starting at $1,062 a month for income-qualified families. The first lottery was held September 15, 2026, but applications are still open on the city's free Access Housing LA portal, and new applicants are added to the waitlist in the order they apply.
If your family has been hunting for a place in LA that won't swallow your whole paycheck, this one is worth a few minutes of your time. Here's what the apartments cost, who qualifies, how big the homes are and exactly how to get on the list.
Key Takeaways
Where: 121 N. Mathews St., Los Angeles, CA 90033 (Boyle Heights)
Rents: $1,062 to $2,936 a month, depending on unit size and income level
Homes: 39 affordable apartments, including 33 two-bedrooms and 6 one-bedrooms
Who qualifies: households earning 30% to 80% of the area median income, with up to 4 people in a two-bedroom
Cost to apply: $0 application fee; a $45 credit screening applies if you're selected
How to apply: online through Access Housing LA or by mail
Status: the initial lottery took place Sept. 15, 2026; new applications join the waitlist in the order received
What Is HVN on Mathews?
HVN on Mathews is a new four-story building with 40 apartments in Boyle Heights, just east of Downtown LA. Thirty-nine of the homes are income-restricted affordable units, and one is reserved for an on-site manager. The building is close to the Metro E Line's Soto Station, which is handy if you'd rather skip the car for school runs and commutes.
Inside, every home comes with an energy-efficient stainless-steel refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave, hard flooring, and air conditioning and heating. The building has an elevator, on-site laundry and a double-stack bike rack. Water, trash and sewer are included in the rent.
Good news for families with a furry sidekick: dogs and cats are allowed. The building is non-smoking, and some units are set up for residents with mobility, hearing or vision needs.
Parent Tip: There's no on-site parking, only street parking. If you have a car, take a drive around the block at school drop-off and dinnertime before you commit.
HVN on Mathews Rents and Apartment Sizes
Rent depends on two things: how many bedrooms you need and which income level, or AMI (area median income), the apartment is set aside for. Here's the breakdown from the city's listing:
$1,062 a month: two-bedroom at 30% AMI (4 homes)
$1,811 a month: two-bedroom at 50% AMI (4 homes)
$1,826 a month: one-bedroom at 60% AMI (6 homes)
$2,186 a month: two-bedroom at 60% AMI (17 homes)
$2,936 a month: two-bedroom at 80% AMI (8 homes)
These are compact homes. The one-bedrooms run about 370 to 400 square feet, and the two-bedrooms are about 382 to 482 square feet, so measure the bunk bed and the dining table before you dream too big.
Move-in costs are simple: there's no application fee, the credit screening is $45, and the security deposit equals one month's rent.
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Who Qualifies? Income Limits for HVN on Mathews
There are two income numbers to know. Your household needs to earn at least a minimum amount, and no more than a maximum amount, for the apartment you want.
Minimum income: The listing sets the minimum monthly income at 1.5 times the rent. That's $1,593 a month for the $1,062 apartment, up to $4,404 a month for the $2,936 apartment. If you have a Section 8 or other housing voucher, the minimum is based only on the part of the rent you'd pay yourself.
Maximum income: These are the yearly limits by household size:
30% AMI homes: $34,980 (1 person), $39,990 (2), $44,970 (3), $49,980 (4)
50% AMI homes: $58,300 (1 person), $66,650 (2), $74,950 (3), $83,300 (4)
60% AMI homes: $69,960 (1 person), $79,980 (2), $89,940 (3), $99,960 (4)
80% AMI homes: $93,280 (1 person), $106,640 (2), $119,920 (3), $133,280 (4)
Household size counts everyone who will live in the apartment, babies included. One-bedrooms fit 1 to 2 people, and two-bedrooms fit 2 to 4 people, so a family of up to four can apply for a two-bedroom.
Every adult 18 and older will also go through a credit and background check, and the management company contacts landlords from the past three years. If you've had credit trouble, you can include a note explaining your situation with your application.
Parent Tip: Income limits can be adjusted for certain deductions, so you may still qualify even if you're a little over. If you're close, apply anyway and let the leasing office do the math.
How to Apply for the HVN on the Mathews Waitlist
Applying is free, and you can do it all from your phone during nap time.
Create a free account on the City of Los Angeles Access Housing LA portal.
Open the HVN on Mathews listing and choose Apply online. You can also download a paper application and mail it to 888 S. Figueroa St., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
Wait for your place on the list. Since the September 15 lottery has already taken place, new applications go onto the waitlist in the order they arrive, so sooner is better.
Answer quickly if you're contacted. The property manager reviews applicants in order and will ask for proof of income and other documents.
Questions? The property's leasing office answers calls at (213) 964-7074, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also learn more about the building on the HVN Development website.
Parent Tip: The city's portal is free, and the application fee for this building is $0. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay to apply or promises to move you up the list.
Tips for LA Families Applying for Affordable Housing
Affordable apartments in LA get far more applicants than homes, so a little prep goes a long way.
Apply to several buildings: Each building runs its own lottery or waitlist. The more lists you're on, the better your odds.
Keep paperwork in one folder: Recent pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters and IDs for the adults in your household make it much faster to respond when your name comes up.
Keep your profile up to date: If your phone number, email or household size changes, update your Access Housing LA account so you don't miss a call.
Check the county, too: Cities outside the City of LA list their affordable homes on the LA County Housing Resource Center.
Check back often: New buildings open on the portal all year, so set a weekly reminder to look for listings that fit your family.
Takeaway
HVN on Mathews gives LA families a real shot at a new Boyle Heights apartment, with two-bedrooms from $1,062 a month and no application fee. The first lottery has passed, but the waitlist is open, so the best move is to apply soon through Access Housing LA.
While you're there, browse the other open listings and get your name on a few more lists. Every application is one more chance at a home that fits your family and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is rent at HVN on Mathews?
Rents range from $1,062 to $2,936 a month. A two-bedroom at 30% AMI is $1,062, at 50% AMI it's $1,811, at 60% AMI it's $2,186, and at 80% AMI it's $2,936. The one-bedrooms are $1,826 a month at 60% AMI. Water, trash and sewer are included.
Is the HVN on Mathews lottery still open?
The initial lottery took place on September 15, 2026, but the city's Access Housing LA listing still shows applications open. Anyone who applies now is added to the waitlist in the order their application arrives, so it's smart to apply as soon as you can.
What is the income limit for HVN on Mathews?
It depends on household size and the unit's AMI level. For a family of four, the maximum is $49,980 for 30% AMI homes, $83,300 for 50% AMI, $99,960 for 60% AMI and $133,280 for 80% AMI. You also need a minimum income of 1.5 times the rent.
How do I apply for affordable housing in Los Angeles?
Create a free account on the City of Los Angeles Access Housing LA portal, find an open listing like HVN on Mathews, and submit the online pre-application. Many buildings also accept paper applications by mail. Selected applicants then complete the property's full application and income verification.
Does HVN on Mathews accept Section 8 vouchers?
Yes. Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 8 and other valid rental assistance programs are considered. If you have a rental subsidy, the minimum income requirement is based only on the portion of the rent your household pays after the subsidy.
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