Upon completion, approved projects will offer 605 residential units California Blueprint proposes another $2 billion for a $14 billion homeless package that will create 55,000 new housing units and treatment places over the coming years
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom today announced $181 million in funding for 13 new homekey projects statewide. When fully operational, the projects will provide 605 housing units for people affected by or at risk of homelessness. Today’s announcement, along with the recent Homekey Round 2 Awards, means the state has funded 39 projects nationwide so far this year with a total allocation of more than $695 million. Since announcing Homekey’s $2.75 billion extension in September, the state has already approved projects that — when completed — will create over 2,400 housing units for California’s neediest. “Every Californian deserves a safe home,” Gov. Newsom said. “Since the pandemic began, we’ve hosted thousands of people, and nearly every week we approve more Homekey projects — including today’s projects, which will move hundreds more people off the streets into a supportive environment with the critical resources they need.” “People affected by homelessness need a safe place to call home as soon as possible,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. “Homekey continues to demonstrate that we can create these homes quickly, converting hotels, offices and even vacant lots into permanent housing. This week, thanks to this program and partnership with local communities, an additional 605 families and individuals will have shelter and access to the services they need.” “It’s exciting to see so many good homekey projects moving forward — projects that will ultimately create more than 600 quality homes to positively impact the lives of people across California,” said Gustavo Velasquez, director of the Department of housing and community development. “These 13 projects demonstrate innovation, a variety of housing styles, and most importantly, our determination to solve our state’s housing crisis.” Today’s awards include the following projects:
- County Tulare receives $14.5 million to acquire and redevelop a 57-unit hotel currently operating as a Project Roomkey permanent supportive housing site. The project will serve chronically homeless and homeless households. Supportive services are coordinated among multiple providers to include case management, access to physical and behavioral health services, education and employment services, assistance in obtaining benefits and essential documents, and other services such as housing preservation skills, legal assistance, and family connection services.
- The city of Merced receives $4.2 million to build a 21-unit modular shipping container housing project that will provide permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans. Supporting services include, but are not limited to, intensive case management services, liaisons with behavioral and health services, assistance in obtaining benefits and essential documentation, and educational and employment services.
- The County of Orange received more than $6 million to acquire a motel and convert it into a 21-unit permanent residential project. This motel shares a courtyard with a Homekey Round 1 motel, The Tahiti, a 60-unit project. The grantees are building a community structure funded by the Tahiti Project that will serve residents of both projects.
- The town of Redland received $30 million to purchase a project to convert a 99-room hotel into a 98-room residence to provide supportive housing and serve those at risk of homelessness, chronic homelessness or at risk of homelessness and whose income is equal to or below 30 percent of the area median income.
- The County of Riverside has raised nearly $12 million to purchase a project involving the conversion of a 53-room hotel into a 52-room residence to provide permanent housing for the chronically homeless and homeless. All units are subsidized through project-based Section 8 Vouchers and receive on-site specific, targeted support services designed to help residents stabilize and thrive.
- The County of Los Angeles receives $7.3 million to acquire and rehabilitate a former 21-unit hotel in Redondo Beach that provides permanent housing for chronically homeless households. Off-site facilities within a half-mile radius of the project include a health facility, pharmacy and public transportation. The project will work with several service providers to provide supporting services such as intensive case management.
- The County of Los Angeles will also receive $25.2 million to acquire and rehabilitate a 76-unit hotel for permanent supportive housing serving only chronically homeless households. The property is centrally located close to amenities and just steps from a transit station. It is only a half mile from a grocery store, health facility and pharmacy. Supporting services include case management, advocacy, payee services, linking and referrals, medical, mental health, and substance abuse connections.
- The County of Los Angeles also receives $14.7 million for a 44-unit hotel remodeling project in Westlake. The Lyfe Inn will provide temporary housing for medium to large homeless and chronically homeless families. Seven units will be accessible for people with reduced mobility and five units for people with audiovisual disabilities. Comprehensive on-site services include a commissioner providing three meals a day, case management, home navigation, crisis intervention and conflict resolution. The location is within walking distance to MacArthur Park, the subway station, a major grocery store, pharmacy and two major medical centers.
- The County of Los Angeles also received $13.8 million to purchase a project to convert a 40-room condominium in the heart of the Boyle Heights neighborhood to provide temporary housing for youth at risk of homelessness. This is a historic property that was formerly a boarding house for repatriated Japanese Americans who were forced to leave LA and move to internment camps during WWII to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. The grantees intend to continue the legacy of providing hope and opportunity through the program. Hence they have named this new property Dunamis House. The ancient Greek translation of dunamis is power and potential.
- The City of Los Angeles Housing Authority raises $12 million to acquire a newly constructed 41-unit multi-family development for permanent housing. The 6521 Brynhurst project is central to amenities and will serve homeless people and households at risk of homelessness. Supporting services include, but are not limited to, intensive case management services, liaisons with behavioral and health services, assistance in obtaining benefits and essential documentation, and educational and employment services.
- The city of Culver City receives $26.6 million for the acquisition and redevelopment of two adjacent motels in 76 units of permanent and temporary housing, including two administrative units. By merging the interim units with permanent supportive shelters, the project offers an innovative approach to streamlining service delivery and responding to stakeholder requests for more coordinated action on homelessness. Off-project amenities include a grocery store, pharmacy, library, schools and parks. The location is very accessible on foot and only 800 m from the transit and motorway access. Supporting services include health and behavioral services, life skills, education and transportation, among others.
- The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians raises $1.9 million to acquire and redevelop a dispersed site project, including two sites in Lakeport. The project will provide a total of 11 residential units of sustainable supportive housing serving a mix of the target population including the chronically homeless, homeless, homeless youth and those at risk of homelessness. Off-site facilities within a two-mile radius of the project include a grocery store, healthcare facility, pharmacy, library and public transportation.
- The city of Königsstadt receives $12.4 million to acquire and rehabilitate a 45-unit hotel to provide ongoing supportive housing for people at risk of homelessness or chronic homelessness. The project includes full onsite support services and plenty of space for indoor and outdoor community services.
Additional Homekey awards will be announced in the coming weeks. Completed applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted or until May 2, 2022, whichever comes first. Visit the Homekey website for more information. The Department of Housing and Community Development also created the Homekey Awards Dashboard, which allows Californians to track homekey project awards by dollar amount, project type, progression and region. The dashboard updates in real time as additional projects are approved.
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