Janice Hahn Approves Motel 6 Conversions To 'Supportive Housing'

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — As part of California’s Project Homekey effort to protect homeless people at high risk for serious illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn approved plans to purchase four motels in her district and convert them to supportive housing units for formerly homeless residents.

“We are in the middle of dual crises— an ongoing homeless crisis and a pandemic that threatens the lives of people living on our streets,” said Supervisor Hahn. “We need to act with the urgency that both crises demand. With the State’s funding and support, we are transforming motels across my district into affordable apartments with wraparound services. This model is quicker and less expensive than building new housing from scratch.”

Hahn has long advocated for hotel/motel conversions as a way to quickly and efficiently create much-needed supportive housing to address the ongoing homelessness crisis. The projects approved today [Tuesday, Oct. 27] include ones in Long Beach, Norwalk, Hacienda Heights and unincorporated Whittier with a total of 354 units.

They are all previously a Motel 6. The Motel 6 Long Beach site located at 5665 East 7th Street will be purchased for $5,615,000. It includes 43 rooms. The Motel 6 in Norwalk located at 10646 East Rosecrans Avenue will be purchased for $5,740,000. It includes 56 rooms.

The Motel 6 in Hacienda Heights located at 1172 South 7th Avenue will be purchased at a price of $12,450,000. It is currently being used as a Project Roomkey interim housing site for seniors and individuals with serious health conditions. It includes 156 rooms, 24/7 uniformed security, on-site health and mental health supportive services, and on-site meals. Crime has gone down in the neighborhood since the site became interim housing in April 2020, according to Hahn's news release. LA County will continue to provide supportive health and mental health services to the residents of this site after it is renovated into permanent supportive housing units.

The Motel 6 in Whittier located at 8221 South Pioneer Boulevard will be purchased at a price of 10,333,094. It includes 99 rooms and is currently being used as a Project Roomkey interim housing site for seniors and individuals with serious health conditions. It offers the same services as the Hacienda heights location.

“Transitional housing is critical for vulnerable populations. That is why I was proud to have authored Senate Bill 450 last year with the support of Supervisor Hahn, which allowed cities to purchase motels and convert them into housing. In this time of unprecedented housing need, Governor Newsom expanded our bill through Project Homekey, and put more funding into it, which will help counties like Los Angeles tackle homelessness head on,” said Senator Tom Umberg (D – Santa Ana). “The state must be proactive in its continued partnership with local community goals for housing, and support life-changing efforts for those in need.”

"I’m pleased to be partnering with Supervisor Hahn on this important issue," said State Senator Bob Archuleta. “I know my cities are willing to step up and do their part to help the homeless situation that affects so many, including veterans. I appreciate the efforts and commitment by the County Board of Supervisors that their support will be given to ensure the services provided as promised at the Homekey sites, including 24/7 security, medical, mental health services, case management, and housing navigation, will work correctly to benefit the communities and the homeless."

Permanent supportive housing is a proven solution to homelessness for the most vulnerable homeless individuals, according to Hahn, who said data "overwhelmingly" shows" permanent supportive housing... to be the most cost-effective way to serve vulnerable people experiencing homelessness and help them to retain housing."

The County will renovate the acquired motels so they can be used for permanent housing. Renovations will include a variety of improvements, including the addition of kitchens and other amenities. At each site, residents will be able to access on-site supportive services to address physical health, mental health and other needs, according to a news release.

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, according to the news release.

Each motel initially will be used as interim housing for individuals at high risk during the pandemic before the work is done to transform it into permanent supportive housing units. All sites will provide meals on-site and 24/7 security. Participants will agree to a code of conduct that will be enforced by site staff. Homeless service providers will offer case management services to help connect interim housing participants with permanent housing and other supportive services.

This article originally appeared on the Manhattan Beach Patch