Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelvin.
Hi Kelvin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Kelvin Xuna, and for the past thirteen years I’ve poured my heart—and every penny I had—into building Artist Housing DTLA, the city’s most affordable, non‑subsidized home for creators. In 2012, fresh out of Harvard real estate school and fueled by my own struggle to find a decent, budget‑friendly room in downtown Los Angeles, I saw an opportunity: what if we could offer safe, inspiring spaces where painters, writers, filmmakers, musicians—anyone with a passion—could live without drowning in rent? I convinced a small building owner to take a chance on my vision, and with little more than a shoestring budget and a belief that art makes cities thrive, we opened our doors.
Over the first decade we became a true creative hub: murals sprung up in common rooms, late‑night jam sessions echoed through the hallways, and dozens of first‑time filmmakers cut their teeth on shoestring budgets in our studios. We never received government subsidies or grants—our model has always been to keep costs lean and pass every saving on to our residents. We even built a little in‑house “capital raising” team, but after years of networking and grant applications, not a single sponsorship or partnership ever materialized. Despite inquiries from agencies and nonprofits promising support, we watched one by one as those doors quietly closed.
COVID hit us like a freight train. Year after year, we’ve lost roughly $50,000/year—revenue that simply evaporated as artists lost gigs and side hustles dried up. Last spring, after circling the drain for months, I faced the hardest decision of my life: pull the plug on the building that had become my second home, or find some last‑ditch lifeline. Two months ago, our landlord—a believer in our mission—stepped in and lowered our rent for the next twelve months. It’s an incredible gesture, but it’s a Band‑Aid on a gaping wound. At any moment, the relief could end, and with our slim reserves gone, we’ll have no choice but to close our doors.
It’s heartbreaking that during America’s decade‑long affordability crisis, federal housing dollars never reached a place like ours—where rent is already kept at bare‑bones, and every dollar saved by residents goes straight back into their art and the local economy. I even started a GoFundMe campaign with a $50,000 goal to keep our lights on, and to date we’ve raised $200—from a former tenant who still owes us thousands. But this isn’t just my fight; it’s a fight for every young artist who dreams of living in LA’s creative heart without sacrificing their work to rent. That’s my story: thirteen years of faith, community, and stubborn hope—and right now, maybe our last chance to prove that affordable, independent housing for artists isn’t just a dream.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been anything but smooth. From the very beginning, securing operating capital felt like pushing a boulder uphill—traditional grant programs and sponsorships never panned out, despite endless proposals and meetings. I even assembled a small fundraising team, but year after year, no outside dollars came through.
Long before COVID, I was juggling deferred maintenance, juggling late‑paying tenants and covering shortfalls out of pocket. When the pandemic hit and our residents’ incomes disappeared, our annual losses swelled to nearly $50,000. Eviction moratoriums offered tenants a lifeline but did nothing to ease our bills—utilities, staffing and routine repairs still had to be paid.
Just two months ago, on the brink of shutting down, our landlord stepped in with a temporary rent reduction that bought us a little breathing room. It was a lifeline, but only for a year—and we’re already planning for what comes next. Meanwhile, my GoFundMe to raise $50k in emergency operating funds has only brought in a $200, a stark reminder of how thin the margins really are.
Above all, the hardest part has been watching a vibrant community of painters, filmmakers and musicians teeter on the edge of displacement while promised federal housing dollars remain out of reach. Every day feels like a high‑wire act: one unexpected expense, one stagnant campaign, and our doors could close—along with the last truly independent, non‑subsidized creative haven in downtown LA.
As you know, we’re big fans of Artist Housing DTLA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Artist Housing DTLA is a purpose‑built, community‑driven co‑living space designed from the ground up to empower working artists.
What We Do & Specialize In
Co‑Living Dorms: Shared rooms keep housing costs minimal, so residents can invest in materials, equipment and their craft.
Shared Maker Studios: Our facility houses painting bays, sound booths, editing suites, woodworking and metal‑working shops—everything under one roof for seamless creative flow.
Flexible Terms: Month‑to‑month stays and transparent pricing honor the unpredictable income cycles of artists.
What Sets Us Apart
Independent, Non‑Subsidized Model: We’ve never taken grants, tax credits or government funding—every dollar we save on overhead goes straight into upkeep, supplies and community events.
Hands‑On Leadership: Though I don’t live on‑site, I hold regular office hours and mentor residents on portfolio development, grant strategies and networking—connecting them with local galleries, festivals and suppliers.
Heart of DTLA: By packing intentional co‑living with robust studios in the city’s creative core, we deliver genuine affordability where most “affordable” programs fall short.
Our Proudest Achievements
Alumni Impact: Former residents have exhibited in galleries, screened films at festivals and launched collectives—often citing our space as their springboard.
Unbroken Community: Despite years of operating losses and a recent temporary rent reduction by our landlord, we’ve never paused our studios or programming, proving that lean, artist‑first operations can endure.
What Readers Should Know
Artist Housing DTLA isn’t “just a place to crash”—it’s a living ecosystem where collaboration, peer learning and hands‑on mentorship happen daily. We provide beds, world‑class shared workshops, regular skill‑sharing events and direct guidance without corporate bureaucracy. If you’re an emerging painter, filmmaker, musician or maker seeking an affordable launchpad in downtown Los Angeles, our doors are wide open.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, my top priority is securing Artist Housing DTLA’s long‑term survival and amplifying our impact on LA’s creative community. To do that, I’m pursuing three parallel tracks:
Stabilize & Sustain
Diversified Revenue Streams: I’m rolling out low‑cost membership tiers—offering 24/7 studio access, equipment rentals, and one‑on‑one portfolio reviews—to supplement room fees and cover basic operating costs.
Expand & Evolve
Satellite “Pop‑Up” Residencies: Testing overnight residencies in vacant downtown storefronts and partner campuses, giving artists short‑term project space while showcasing our model to potential donors and city leaders.
Digital Creative Academy: Developing online workshops—taught by alumni and guest artists—on everything from grant‑writing to digital storytelling, so our expertise reaches beyond these four walls and generates modest course revenue.
Advocacy & Partnerships
Local Policy Engagement: Teaming up with other grassroots housing providers to press for transparent allocation of federal housing dollars to independent, non‑profit‑adjacent spaces like ours.
On a personal note, I’m excited to leverage AI and new media to tell our residents’ stories—through short documentaries and virtual studio tours—which I believe will attract wider support and breathe fresh energy into our GoFundMe efforts. Big changes are coming, but at our core, we’ll remain the lean, fiercely independent home where talented artists can afford to craft their futures in downtown LA.
Pricing:
- Half off the first month for people to try us out.
- $645 rent
- $55 utilities includes EVERYTHING. No hidden fees.
- $700 Deposit (just because we need a 30 day notice to vacate.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ArtistHousing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artisthousing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistHousing/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artist-housing/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ArtistHousingLA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtistHousing
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artist-housing-los-angeles-3
- Other: https://LogicalHousing.com
