The city of West Hollywood is looking to secure state Project Homekey funding in an effort to establish an interim housing site to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.

The city’s project application envisions the purchase of the Holloway Motel to help meet the city’s five-year plan to address homelessness and serve individuals experiencing it.

In December 2021, the West Hollywood City Council gave authorization to city staff to apply for a Project Homekey grant from the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

Homekey is a partnership between Los Angeles County and the state to purchase and rehabilitate hotels and motels for interim housing. The city’s Homekey application envisions the purchase of the Holloway Motel, located at 8465 Santa Monica Blvd., to be updated, rehabilitated and operated as an interim housing site for people who are experiencing homelessness to move off the streets with case management and supportive services, with the goal of identifying and securing permanent housing.

Homekey funding, if approved, would provide a multi-million investment to assist in realizing the project. The West Hollywood City Council has additionally approved an allocation of $2.8 million from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to meet the required city match for operations and services if a Homekey grant is awarded.

Interim housing would typically provide a stay of up to 90 days to stabilize community members and assist them with getting the necessary care and resources to find permanent housing. The project plans would call for considerable physical improvements to the site and operations would include appropriate security measures and 24/7 onsite staff.

A survey conducted of West Hollywood residents in November 2021 by FM3 Research found that 90% of respondents ranked homelessness as a very or somewhat serious issue (72% “very serious” and 18% “somewhat serious”) making it one of the most significant issues of concern for the community.

The survey also found strong support among residents for interventions to address homelessness. Of those surveyed, 79% of respondents supported increasing the prioritization of “supportive housing, including homeless services, within city limits.” Approximately 76% of respondents supported increasing prioritization of “city-funded temporary shelter beds and homeless services provided within city limits.”

In the coming weeks, city staff anticipates an update regarding the status of the Homekey application, as well as progress in the city’s efforts to acquire the site. If successful in both areas, the city will begin a community engagement process to collect feedback and input from residents and businesses regarding the project.

For information, contact Corri Planck, city of West Hollywood strategic initiatives manager, at (323)848-6430 or cplanck@weho.org. For additional information, visit www.weho.org/homeless. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, call (323)848-6496.