El Portal Project in San Pablo Gets $16 Million Homekey Funding

Sacramento – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced funding to quickly create more affordable housing and assist individuals experiencing homelessness. This funding, from the state’s Homekey program, will create 613 new affordable homes with more than a third of those units reserved for people experiencing chronic homelessness in five California communities.

“Homekey continues to be one of California’s most successful efforts to rapidly create housing for people struggling with homelessness. Through this innovative approach, we have funded over 14,600 homes in communities all across the state.”  Governor Gavin Newsom

Administered through the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Homekey supports projects that rapidly convert former hotels, motels and other spaces into affordable and cost-effective housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“Homekey continues to serve as a model for communities across the nation confronting the crisis of homelessness,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “Homekey has transformed our approach, redefining how we can efficiently and rapidly create quality housing to aid Californians in transitioning away from life on the streets.”

Originally launched in 2020 as an extension of Project Roomkey, Homekey funds additional building types and supports a broader population of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This includes young people transitioning to adulthood from foster care or an unsafe environment.

Today’s announcement of $182 million in Homekey funding is part of California’s comprehensive approach to address homelessness. The state recently announced new funding as part of a $750 million investment to assist people living in encampments. The Governor has also called for greater accountability at the local level, and for the first time in state history, communities created specific plans to address homelessness. Additionally, California has invested over $20 billion to tackle the core challenges of homelessness and ensure that those in need have access to housing throughout the state.

To learn more about today’s Homekey announcement and to see a full list of awardees click here.

On November 15, HCD amended the Homekey Round 3 NOFA to add $114 million in supplemental funding to the initial pool of $736 million, providing the opportunity to fund additional eligible applicants. With approximately $513 million remaining, HCD continues reviewing applications, and grants will be announced on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted.

• The City of Berkeley, in partnership with Housing Consortium of the East Bay and Memar Properties, Inc. (dba MPI Homes), will receive $14,128,813 in Homekey Round 3 funding for the University Inn (formerly Rodeway Inn) project, an acquisition and rehabilitation project that will convert an existing motel to create 42 studio units serving people who are homeless or chronically homeless.
• Contra Costa County Health Services will receive $16,000,000 for the 2555 El Portal project, to acquire a remodeled office complex that will create 54 studio units to serve 54 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The organization’s Health Housing Homeless Services division will provide supportive services.
• The City of Los Angeles will receive $26,579,000 for The Weingart Shelby project, to acquire and rehabilitate an existing 78-unit assisted living facility to create 78 units of interim supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
• The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles will receive $18,225,000 for the 4065 Oakwood project, to acquire and rehabilitate a newly built market-rate apartment complex that will create two studio, 25 one-bedroom, and 41 two-bedroom units to serve people and families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. The County of Los Angeles Department of Health and Services will fund People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) to provide supportive services.
• The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles will receive $9,375,000 for the 4818 N Sepulveda Blvd project, to acquire a newly constructed multifamily property. The project will provide permanent supportive housing for 34 households with incomes at or below 30% AMI, with half of units dedicated to people experiencing homelessness and half of units for those at risk of homelessness. PATH will provide supportive services.
• The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles will receive $7,000,000 for the 3705 McLaughlin project, to acquire a newly built apartment building and five newly constructed accessory dwelling units that will create 25 permanent homes serving households that are experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
• The County of Los Angeles, in partnership with Hope the Mission, will receive $27,659,747 for the Lancaster Pathway Home project. The acquisition and rehabilitation project will convert an existing hotel and create 102 studio housing units to serve households experiencing homelessness and chronically homelessness.
• The County of Los Angeles, Weingart Center Association, and Valued Housing II, LLC will receive $34,356,700 for The Weingart Primrose project, to acquire and rehabilitate a hotel that will create 106 studio units to serve 53 chronically homeless and 53 at-risk of homeless households. Off-site amenities, located within one mile of the project include transportation stops, a medical clinic, book-lending public library, pharmacy, and public park. Weingart Center Association will provide wrap-around supportive services.
• The County of Los Angeles, in partnership with Hope the Mission, will receive $28,662,113 for the Knight’s Inn Palmdale project, an acquisition and rehabilitation project that will convert an existing motel to create 100 permanent housing units serving people experiencing homelessness.

Please visit HCD’s website for a full list of Homekey awards.

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