Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration announced the release of $2.75 billion to the housing program. Homekey for the homeless to expand the program to purchase and rehabilitate buildings, including hotels, motels, apartments, small homes, and other properties.
The idea of the program is to transform these spaces into up to 14,000 units of permanent, long-term housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
"We are betting on solutions that work, tackling the homelessness crisis head-on with a constructive and compassionate approach that serves those with the most acute behavioral health needs. This investment will allow us to build on the groundbreaking success of Homekey: create more housing, faster and with accountability and efficiency," Governor Newsom said.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is releasing today the latest notice of funding availability for local governments to apply for funding.
Local interest in the housing program has been strong from the beginning. HCD began accepting applications for Homekey The COVID-19 program was launched on July 22, 2020, and over the course of a year provided COVID-19 safe haven to thousands of Californians and created 6,000 units of affordable housing in record time and at a fraction of the cost.
"In the midst of a pandemic, California took bold steps to protect the homeless by creating more than 6,000 units of housing with the first round of funding from Homekey"said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez.
"It was the largest permanent housing addition in state history, but our work is far from over. With the next round of program funding, the state will continue its work with our local partners to protect vulnerable Californians by providing safe spaces they can call their own," he added.
Earlier this year, the governor signed a historic housing and homelessness funding package as part of his $12 billion California Take Back Plan to address homelessness across the board.
Of that amount, $5.8 billion, including the $2.75 billion to expand Homekey, swill be used for up to 42,000 new homeless housing units and treatment beds, with housing options for those with the most acute behavioral health needs.
Additional funding from Homekey builds on the $846 million first phase investment, which resulted in 94 projects in counties and tribal areas across the state that closed escrow last year.
"This administration has set a goal to functionally end family homelessness in five years, which is why investments in programs like Homekey are so critical," said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.
"Our team is moving quickly to get a wide range of projects off the ground, and we look forward to partnering with local governments and stakeholders to make this next round of Homekey sea even more successful," he said.
You may be interested in: I will ensure women keep critical medical care, including abortion: Newsom
