Supervisor Hahn Approves Four Motel Conversions

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn Oct 27, approved plans to purchase four motels in her district and convert them to supportive housing units for formerly homeless residents. The projects are part of the state’s Project Homekey effort to protect the state’s homeless residents who are at high risk for serious illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The projects approved include locations in Long Beach, Norwalk, Hacienda Heights, and  unincorporated Whittier with a total of 354 units. 

The county will renovate acquired motels so they can be used for permanent housing. Residents will be able to access on-site supportive services to address physical health, mental health, and other needs. 

Each motel will initially be used as interim housing for individuals at high risk during the pandemic before they are transformed into permanent supportive housing units. All sites will provide meals on-site and 24/7 security. Participants will agree to a code of conduct  and homeless service providers will offer case management services to help connect interim housing participants with permanent housing and other supportive services. 

Funding for the purchase and operation of these motels comes from the State’s CARES Act dollars. Funding from the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund will be used to renovate each motel in order for it to be converted to permanent supportive housing. 

Homekey Long Beach

The Motel 6 Long Beach site located at 5665 East 7th Street will be purchased for $5,615,000. It includes 43 rooms. This site will initially serve as an Interim Shelter site before being converted to permanent supportive housing.