$75M awarded for Los Angeles-area Project Homekey developments

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced more than $154 million in funding for new interim and supportive housing across the state through the third round of Project Homekey. Of that total, Los Angeles County is poised to see roughly $37.2 million, going toward the a trio of projects in Exposition Park, Hollywood, and Lancaster.

“Homekey has been critical to creating much-needed housing for people experiencing homelessness and these latest grants will benefit those who are particularly vulnerable,” Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative executive drector Cheri Todoroff in a news release. “By combining Homekey with other state and local funding sources, we’ll be able to provide our young, older, and medically fragile residents a safe place to stay as well as supportive services.”

Rendering of The Nest at Exposition ParkLos Angeles County

In Exposition Park, the County is working with supportive service provider Wellnest on a project which will bring new interim housing for transition age youth to a 7,800-square-foot site at 3787 S. Vermont Avenue, just south of Metro's Expo/Vermont Station, and include 24 studio units with an average size of 305 square feet, as well as one additional apartment for an on-site manager. Plans also call for a laundry room, service offices, and community rooms, and housing on the first floor, and the remaining housing located above.

The project will cater to youth exiting the foster care and juvenile probation systems, with 16 to be set aside for participants in the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP+).

Hollywood Downtowner Inn at 5601 Hollywood BoulevardGoogle Street View

In Hollywood, the County is partnering with Covenant House on a project which will transform the Hollywood Downtowner Motel into 30 interim homes for transition age youth, with nine units dedicated to THP+ participants. The two-story building at 5601 Hollywood Boulevard will see upgrades to all fixtures and flooring, as well as the windows, roof, and landscaping. An existing pool will be filled in to create a landscaped gathering space for residents.

In the Antelope Valley, the County will also work with Hope the Mission to renovate three hotels along Sierra Highway. That effort will generate 58 units of permanent supportive housing, as well as two manager’s units.

To date, Los Angeles County has acquired 28 properties totaling 1,700 homes through Project Homekey. Prior to the latest announcements, the most recent acquisition was a hotel in Baldwin Park, which is being converted into 107 apartments.

Separately, the City of Los Angeles announced that it has been awarded roughly $32 million for the conversion of a Motel 6 at 15711 West Roscoe Boulevard in North Hills into interim housing. The project, which will be delivered in partnership with Hope the Mission, will create 111 residential units.

7631 Topanga Canyon BoulevardGoogle Street View

Likewise, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and Topanga Canyon Housing Partners, LP will receive just over $5.4 million for the construction of a new modular apartment building with 24 units of supportive housing at 7631 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park. That project follows the conversion of an adjoining motel into 52 units of interim housing through an earlier round of Project Homekey.

“We know that in order to solve the homelessness and housing crisis in Los Angeles, we must have more housing, both interim and permanent, in every neighborhood, said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass in a news release. “We have been working closely with the Los Angeles Housing Department and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles in order to bring these projects online and secure this critical funding. Thank you to Governor Newsom and the State Legislature for recognizing these critical projects. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we urgently confront the homelessness crisis as well as a new partnership with Urban Awnings and the Carpenters Union as we showcase new modular innovation and construction.”

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