LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles County was awarded more than $24.1 million today by the state to create 135 units of interim housing with the goal of permanently housing people experiencing homelessness or at risk of it.
Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement of the award as part of the state's Homekey program's sixth round of funding, which put $200 million toward housing across California.
“I thank the Legislature for its partnership in continuing this critical support to help local jurisdictions get thousands of vulnerable Californians off the streets and safely into shelter,'' Newsom said. “Local leaders in San Jose and across the state are demonstrating what's possible when we work hand-in-hand with our city and county partners to realize immediate impact solutions to tackle this crisis.''
Residents will receive supportive services at all locations, the governor's office stated.
The Homekey program enables the state to purchase and rehabilitate housing at hotels, motels and vacant apartment buildings to convert them into interim housing projects.
The latest installment of funding was through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities funding approved by the state Legislature, and the state has used a total of more than $800 million statewide for the program.
An additional $81.4 million was announced to be given to five applicants to complete six housing projects in California, totaling 430 units. To date, more than $709 million has been awarded to 45 applicants and 78 projects, totaling 5,068 units, the governor's office stated, and the average per-unit cost to Homekey is $139,000.
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